An Immunohistochemical ana Ultrastructural Studies on the Gut Endocrine Cells in the Hedgehog, Erinaceus koreanus

한국산 고슴도치(Erinaceus koreanus)의 장관 내분비세포에 관한 면역조직화학적 및 전자현미경적 연구

In order to know the distribution, relative frequencies, types and morphology, endocrine cells in the intestinal tract of the hedgehog(Erinaceus koreanus) were studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Two kinds of endocrine cells were demonstrated with two specific staining methods. Argyrophil cells(reactive cells for Grimelius method) were found most frequently in the intestinal region, and were infrequent in the rectum, whereas argentaffin cells (reactive cells for Masson-Hamperl method) were found most frequently in the rectum and in the other legions were infrequent. These reacting cells were mainly found in the intestinal glands, whereas a small number in the mucosa. 2. Twelve kinds of endocrine cells, gastrin(Gas)-, somatostatin (Som)-, serotonin(5-HT)-, glucagon(Glu)-, bovine pancreatic polypeptide(Bpp)-, cholecystokinin(Cck)-, secretin(Sec)-, motilin(Mot)-, glicentin(Gli)-, gastric inhibitor polypeptide(GIp)-, substance P(Sp)-, and neurotensin(Neu)-immunoreactive cells, were identified by immunohistochemical method. Gas-, Som-, 5-HT-, Glu-, Cck-, Sec-, Mot-, Gli-, Sp-, and Neu-reactive cells were observed in the duodenum, and among these Gas- and 5-HT-reactive cells were moderately found while the others were infrequent. In the jejunoileum Gas-, Som-, 5-HT-, Glu-, Cck-, Mot-, Gli-, GIp-, SP-, and Neu-reactive cells were found, and among these 5-HT- and GIp-reactive cells were moderately found while the others were infrequent. In the colon Sec-reactive cell was not detected. 5-HT-reactive cells were found most frequently and the others were infrequent in this region. 5-HT-, Bpp-, GIi- and Neu-reactive cells were found in the rectum. Among these 5-HT-reactive cells were found most frequently. 3. Electron microscopically, five types of endocrine cells, EC, ECL, D, G, A-like cell, were identified in the intestinal region. EC and ECL cells in the duodenum, EC, D and G cells in the jejuno-ileum, EC and A-like cells in the colon and EC cell in the rectum were observed respectively.