THE ARGENTAFFIN CELLS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE OF THE GUINEA-PIG

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Abstract
A study has been made of the argentaffin cells of the small intestine of the guinea-pig with the activated protargol method. The distribution of these cells corresponds in general to that described by previous authors except that they tend to be absent over subepithelial lymphoid aggregations; and their number appears to vary reciprocally with that of the mucous goblet cells. It is suggested that the various types of argentaffin cell which are observed can be best explained by assuming a progressive evolution from a basally-placed cell to one which is undistinguishable from a fully formed goblet cell. The hypothesis that the argentaffin cell of the small intestine is a physiological precursor of the mucous goblet cell, and that these cells are involved in a continuous secretary cycle is discussed.