THE BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN THE MONGOLIAN GERBIL

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 136  (MAR) , 339-347
Abstract
In the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) the vascularization of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans is essentially a postnatal event. Point counting of ink injected islets from newborn to adult gerbils was used to follow and quantify this process. Initially islets develop a peri-insular plexus which has connections with the general capillary bed of the gland. Subsequently intra-insular capillaries invade the islets from the peripheral plexus and the islet develops a direct arteriolar and venous supply. Capillary connections with the exocrine capillaries are retained to form the basis of an insulo-acinar portal system. The volume fraction of islet vascularity remains constant at 19% from birth to adulthood, while the volume fraction of the intra-insular capillaries increases gradually in the 1st wk post natum; it accounts for half the total islet vascularity by day 14 and 2/3 of total islet vascularity in the adult.