[Development and function of endocrine cells in the proventriculus of the chicken (author's transl)].

An argyrophil endocrine cell type with typical intraepithelial development is seen initially on the 8th day of incubation in the epithelium of the main lumen of the chicken-proventriculus. During the embryonic period, rapid development of these cells can be observed with a quantitative maximum on the 13th day of incubation. At this time increased digestive efficiency is necessary for the chicken embryo with the start of gastric secretion combined with the first swallowing of albumen. There is a subsequent decrease in the number of endocrine cells in the main lumen epithelium, their function in hatched or adult specimens is largely taken over by cells which appear in the epithelium of the glands of the proventriculus on the 16th and later days of incubation. On the 2nd day after hatching the adult distribution pattern of endocrine cells in the proventriculus is attained.