Cellular composition of the pancreatic islets in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

In Mongolian gerbil, morphological changes with age in the content of endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets were analyzed and their relation evaluated by an oral glucose tolerance test. The glucose level 2 hours after glucose administration was 125 +/- 5 mg./d1 in the young group and 103 +/- 4 mg./d1 in the old group. In the dorsal portion, B cells were mainly observed in the central area of the islets, surrounded by circular layers of A cells in the peripheral area. Between the A cells and B cells, D cells were scattered or present in layers. A few PP cells were present in the peripheral area of the islets. In the ventral portion, only a few A cells were observed in the peripheral area of the islets, and B cells were surrounded by PP cells. Secretory granules of A cells generally had an electron-dense spherical core in the limiting membrane. The halo between the limiting membrane and core in A cells was narrower than that in B cells. Secretory granules of B cells were larger than those in A cells, and the core was less electron-dense, and the halo was wider. Secretory granules of D cells were similar in size to those of A cells; the core showed low electron density, and the halo was very narrow. Granules of PP cells resembled those of A cells, but the electron density of the core was slightly lower. The gerbils showed changes in glucose tolerance, the size of the pancreatic islets, the percentage of B cells, and of A cells in the dorsal portion with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)