ABSTRACT
Pancreatic islet transplantation into cryptorchid testes resulted in near-complete normalization of hepatic enzymic parameters associated with glycogen metabolism. Measurements of plasma glucose levels and of immunoreactive insulin levels indicated that islet transplantation also resulted in improved control of glycemia in diabetic animals receiving these grafts. Electron microscopic examination of cryptorchid testes revealed the presence of islet cells in the interstitial spaces outside of the seminiferous tubules. These islet cells both had granules identified as B granules by morphologic criteria and appeared to be actively secreting the contents of these granules. This site of islet transplantation appeared to provide a protected site which facilitated long-term survival and continued functioning of islet grafts.
