Anatomical and histological observation on the pancreas in adult zebrafish.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anatomic structure of the pancreas and the distribution of the islets in adult zebrafish.


METHODS
In situ immunofluorescent staining, electron microscopy, and serial paraffin-embedded sectioning with hematoxylin/eosin staining were applied.


RESULTS
The pancreas along the intestine included 4 relatively independent and concentrated lobes, in which 4 kinds of islets-principal islets, Brockmann bodies, diffusely existing islets, and single beta-cell-were observed. Some islets contained both alpha and beta cells, whereas some contained only beta cells. The islet number in each adult zebrafish averaged 84.53 +/- 43.77; and the lower quartile, median, and upper quartile were 55.25, 70.50, and 112.00, respectively (n = 40). The different islets were differently distributed in the 4 pancreatic lobes with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, 3 kinds of secretory granules were found in the cytoplasm of different islet cells.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the distinct distribution, concentration of the pancreas, and different contents of the islets within the pancreas, 4 lobes of the pancreas along the intestine-the gallbladder-spleen lobe, the middle lobe, the left lobe, and the ventral lobe-were identified in adult zebrafish.
Chen
Shen
S
Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Li
Chaohong
C
Yuan
Guangming
G
Xie
Fukang
F
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D050416:Glucagon-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon