Morphology and Cytochemistry of Alpha Cells of the Rabbit Pancreas: Effects of Glucagon, Insulin and Infusions of Glucose

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Abstract
The effects of glucagon (I), insulin (II), and infusions of glucose (III) on the [alpha] cells of the rabbit pancreas were studied by means of routine and special methods. Two special methods utilized for this purpose were (1) dark field illumination of fresh frozen mounted sections in glycerol and (2) visualization of Zn in a cells by intravital chelation with dithizone after complete depletion of the Zn of the [beta] cells by previous III injections. Results indicate that a cells undergo progressive atrophy with nuclear and cytoplasmic shrinkage after 20 to 25 days of I treatment. This involution is considered to be a specific effect of I because no cellular structure in other tissues or endocrine glands show similar alterations. Prolonged treatment of the animals with II and III did not affect the a cells.