The existence of argyrophilic endocrine cells in the digestive system of snake eels (Pisodonophis boro, Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

© 2020, Chiang Mai University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. All rights reserved. Observation of argyrophilic endocrine cells (AEC) in the digestive system of Rice-paddy eel (Pisodonophis boro, Hamilton, 1822), an economically important fish, was first examined. The existence of AEC was clearly detected along the digestive system, except for the posterior intestine by the Grumelius silver staining method. Two types of AEC (closed-type cell and open-type cell) were classified and observed within the mucosal layer. The closed-type cell was small and spherical in shape, whereas the open-type cell was triangular or elongated. The AECs in the stomach were detected in both the mucosal layer and the gastric gland, which were higher in abundance than that in the esophagus. The highest numbers of AEC were observed in the anterior intestine, whereas it was not observed in the posterior intestine. In addition, several granules in the hepatocyte and some cells in Langerhan’s islets in the pancreas positively reacted with this method. The results indicated that the digestive tract and especially the anterior intestine may be the main site of AEC relating to the production of digestive hormones.