ABSTRACT
Objective To clarify the morphological features, types, regional distributions and cell densities of gastrointestinal (GI) endocrine cells in various parts of the digestive track (DT) of Eumeces elegans. Methods Using immunohistochemical techniques of streptavidin-peroxidase(S-P) method. Results The endocrine cells found in the DT were round or oval, spindle, shuttle, pyramid, flask and bacilliform in shape. Three types of endocrine cells, namely 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) positive cells, somatostatin (SS) positive cells and gastrin (GAS) positive cells were found. No substance P(SP)-, glucagon (GLU)-, pancreatic polypeptide ( PP)- and insulin(INS) positive cells were detected. 5-HT positive cells distributed throughout the whole DT at various densities and they were most predominant cell types in the DT. SS positive cells were detected only in stomach. GAS positive cells showed a restricted distribution and were only demonstrated in the pylorus and duodenum. In the DT of E. elegans the region with the highest degree of cell type heterogeneity was pylorus and all types of endocrine cell along the DT showed peak density in the pylorus as well. Conclusion Some common features of the distribution of different types of GI endocrine cells are found between E. elegans and other reptiles. This common trait may reflect the similarity in digestive physiology of various vertebrates. On the other hand, some species-dependent unique distribution features of endocrine cells in DT were also detected in E. elegans.