Pancreatic Fibrosis in Ducks on a Nutritional Basis.

Abstract

A degeneration of the acinar cells of the pancreas as the result of a nutritional deficiency (corn starch, sucrose, or dextrose as the only source of carbohydrate) has been descr. The microscopic lesion was characterized by increased acidophilia and vacuoles within the cytoplasm of the acinar cells, pyknosis and karyorrhexis, which were followed by disintegration of the acinar structure and infiltration by fibroblasts. Finally, there was an increase in the perilobular and periacinar fibrous stroma and in some areas, large amts. of the parenchymal tissue were replaced by fibroblastic material. No changes were observed in the islet cells.