An immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the red-bellied frog, Bombina orientalis.

The regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells was studied immunohistochemically (PAP method) in the alimentary tract of the red-bellied frog, Bombina orientalis, using antisera against serotonin, somatostatin, chromogranin (CG), cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, bombesin, secretin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Eight kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. These immunoreactive cells were located in the gastric glands of the stomach regions and in the intestinal or esophageal epithelium with variable frequencies. They were spherical or spindle-shaped. Serotonin- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the whole alimentary tract including esophagus. CG-immunoreactive cells were restricted to the stomach. CCK-8-immunoreactive cells were observed from the antrum to the ileum. Bombesin-immunoreactive cells were restricted to the stomach. Secretin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the pylorus, duodenum and ileum. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were found in the antrum and duodenum. PP-immunoreactive cells were detected from the antrum to the rectum. In conclusion, throughout the alimentary tract of the red-bellied frog, the different regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells were demonstrated. The regional distributions and relative frequencies of the endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the red-bellied frog were resembled to those of the other anuran species except for esophagus.