A Histomorphochemical Study of Porcine Pancreas with Emphasis on Cellular Mapping

The pancreas is a dual function gland acting as both an endocrine and exocrine. Production of digestive enzymes like lipase, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin is regulated by exocrine part. Hormones like insulin, glucagon and somatostatin, which are vital for regulation of blood sugar, are under regulation and control of endocrine part. The present study was aimed to obtain histological and histochemical observations of porcine pancreas.

Total six samples (n=6) of pancreas were procured immediately after slaughter and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin and Bouin's solution. Tissue processing was done by routine paraffin block preparation by alcohol-benzene schedule.

Pancreas of pig was encapsulated by connective tissue capsule. It was divided into lobes and lobules by connective tissue septa. Major glandular parenchyma was exocrine part while lightly stained endocrine part was only about 1-2% of the total mass. Acini and ducts were the constituents of exocrine pancreas. Acini possessed centroacinar and acinar cells. Acinar cells had three different forms, viz. active, resting and exhaustive cells. Pancreatic ducts along with goblet cells were moderately positive for glycogen, weakly sulphated mucins and acidic mucopolysaccharides. Islets of Langerhans had three types of cells i.e. alpha, beta and delta. Beta cells outnumbered other two cell types forming major part of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Islets of Langerhans had profound blood supply. The present work will be a complementary contribution to enhance understanding of porcine pancreatic anatomy and its further implication for the betterment porcine production.