A new differentiation type of the chief cells in the cat gastric gland

We demonstrated a new differentiation type of chief cell in the cat gastric gland. 1. Numerous PAS-positive cells were distributed not only in the glandular body but also in the glandular base. 2. These cells, namely immature chief cells, contained a large number of claret-colored fine pepsinogen granules. 3. Immature chief cells did not exist in the glandular base of man and many other types of animals. 4. The PAS-positive cells in the glandular base gradually decreased in PAS-positive substance and changed into PAS-negative cells with a reticulate framework. These mature chief cells contained numerous dark blue coarse pepsinogen granules. 5. The mature chief cells reacted moderately to AB (pH 2.5), and weakly to AB (pH 0.5), while staining with PAS-AB (pH 2.5) produced a moderate to strong color reaction of AB. Such reactions were characteristic to these cells and could not be found in man or many other types of animals studied. 6. PAS-positive cells i.e. the immature chief cells, reacted strongly to AB (pH 2.5), and moderately to AB (pH 0.5), while staining with PAS-AB (pH 2.5) produced a violet color. 7. The above-mentioned reactions were the same in mucous neck cells with mean undifferentiated characteristics. Such cells do not exist in the glandular base of man and many other types of animals. 8. The glandular base is generally occupied only by mature chief cells, though a large number of undifferentiated cells or immature chief cells were distributed in the same area of the cat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)