Early Development of Glycogen Infiltration in Duct Epithelium of Dog Pancreas after Growth Hormone Administration

Abstract

The sequential development of hydropic degeneration (glycogen infiltration) in the dog pancreas during administration of purified anterior pituitary growth hormone was studied. Fifteen mature normal mongrel dogs each received 3 mg/kg of growth hormone daily subcutaneously. Two each were sacrificed on alternate days for 14 days. Eight animals were used as controls. It was found that sometimes glycogen is normally present in ductular epithelium but not in [beta] cells. Increased vacuolization (glycogen infiltration) of intralobular and intercalated ducts developed prior to and generally in the absence of the appearance of glycogen in the [beta] cells of the islets.