The ultrastructure of polyploid B-cells in the islets of normal mice

Light and electron microscopic studies of diploid, tetraploid and octaploid B-cells in the islets of normal C57BL/KsJ mice revealed that polyploid cells were characterized by a wider range of granulated states than diploid B-cells. The maximum granule densities were similar for polyploid and diploid cells; however, some polyploid cells were almost devoid of granules, while the least granulated diploid cells contained intermediate granule densities. The tetraploid cell also appeared to be characterized by an increased mitochondrial stage which suggests compensation for the greater degree of degranulation. These observations were confirmed by morphometric analysis. Two interpretations of the apparent polyploidy are discussed; that polyploid B-cells may be more responsive to insulin releasing stimuli than diploid B-cells and that tetraploid cells may only be diploid cells in the G2 phase of the mitotic cycle.