Immunohistochemical identification of pancreatic hormones, neuropeptides and cytoskeletal proteins in pancreas of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The patterns of distribution of insulin (INS), glucagon (GLU), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), neuropeptide‐Y (NPY), cholecystokinin‐octapeptide (CCK‐8), neurofilament‐200 protein (NF), S‐100 protein (S‐100), and vimentin (VIM) in the pancreas of the one‐humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) were investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. INS‐immunoreactive cells were observed in the central and peripheral parts of the islets of Langerhans, but some solitary INS‐positive cells were found outside the islets. INS‐positive cells constituted 44.26–90.91% [mean ± standard deviation (std): 67.34 ± 14.20] of the total number of islet cells. GLU‐immunopositive cells were located mainly in the peripheral region of the islets, and they constituted 11.43–44.44% [mean ± std: 23.54 ± 8.27] of the total number of islet cells. ANP and CCK‐8 immunoreactivity was observed in neurons and perivascular nerves fibers. NPY was identified in pancreatic neurons and in some peripheral and central cells of the islets of Langerhans. VIM immunoreactivity was observed in the endothelial cells of blood vessels and the nerves located in the perivascular, interlobular and periacinar regions. VIM was also detected immunohistochemically in the periductal nerves of the pancreas. NF occurred only in nerves. S‐100 was discerned mainly in the nerves of the interlobular connective tissue and in nerves lying close to blood vessels and acinar tissue. It is concluded that INS, GLU, ANP, NPY, CCK‐8, NF, S‐100, and VIM are well distributed in the pancreas of the camel. J. Morphol. 231:185–193, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.