Ultrastructural identification of the basal-granulated cells in the duodenum of golden hamsters

ABSTRACT

The fine structure of the crypt epithelium of the duodenal mucosa in hamsters was studied to represent the types and distribution of the basal-granulated or endocrine cells. Fifteen male animals were used. Perfusion-fixation was made and samples of duodenal mucosa were taken and processed to prepare epon-embedded specimens for examination by a transmission electron microscope. Cells containing membrane-bound granules were seen in the crypt epithelium. They were identified to be basal-granulated cells. Six different types of such cells were demonstrated. All of the cells were of the closed type. The possible functional significance of these closed cell types was discussed. Correlation between the distributions of such cells in the intestine of hamsters might enable the physiologists, internists and other researchers to study several biologically active peptides with well established functions other than those which have long been investigated