Immunocytochemical localization of glucagon and insulin cells in eutropis carinata with respect to reproductive cycle

The pancreas of Eutropis carinata was studied immunocytochemically for the presence and topographic distribution of glucagon and insulin cells during annual reproductive cycles. The study revealed paracrine arrangement of the two types of cells. The immunolocalized pancreatic cells revealed significant differences in mean numbers during different periods of reproduction. The numbers of glucagon-immunoreactive (GIR) and insulin-immunoreactive (IIR) cells were highest during the recrudescent period which corresponded with low serum glucose level. Between the two immunoreactive cells, the GIR cells were predominant. Morphological differences between the two cells were observed by electron microscopy after staining with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Serum glucose showed that cyclic change was highest during the reproductive period