HISTOLOGIC AND IMMUNOFLUORESCENT STUDIES ON THE SITE OF ORIGIN OF GLUCAGON IN MAMMALIAN PANCREAS

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the site of origin of glucagon in the adult rabbit pancreas. Tissue fragments, fixed with Carnoy's solution and embedded in paraffin, were sectioned 4 µ in thickness. In a section stained with Gomori's chromium hematoxylin-phloxine, several islets were marked and photographed for comparison with immunofluorescent staining. The same section was then stained by an indirect immunofluorescent method using antiglucagon serum to identify glucagon-containing cells after transfer through xylene, decreasing concentrations of alcohol and buffered saline in succession. The islets previously marked were again observed and photographed under the fluorescent microscope. The specificity of the fluorescent staining was confirmed by the block test, absorption test and others. Good agreement between histologic and immunofluorescent staining of identical sections indicated the α cell origin of glucagon in the rabbit pancreas.