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Abstract
The regional distribution and relative frequencies of endocrine cells were studied immunohistochemically (PAP methods) in the alimentary tract of the tree frog, Hyla arborea japonica, using specific antisera against serotonin, somatostatin, bovine Sp‐1/chromogranin (BCG), cholecystokinin (CCK)‐8, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin, bombesin, secret in and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Six kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. These immunoreactive cells were located in the gastric glands of stomach regions and in the basal portion of the epithelium of the intestinal tract or esophagus with variable frequencies. They were spherical or spindle‐shaped. Serotonin‐immunoreactive cells were observed in the whole alimentary tract including the esophagus. Somatostatin‐immunoreactive cells were also detected throughout the alimentary tract except the rectum. CCK‐8‐immunoreactive cells were observed from the pylorus to ileum. VIP‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the rectum. Bombesin‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the fundic gastric regions and gastrin‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the pylorus. However, no BCG‐, secretin and PP‐immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in this study. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of the endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the tree frog were similar to other anuran species, but some differences which may be caused by feeding habits and species specification were also observed.
Notes
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