An immunohistochemical study on the distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of domestic pigeon, (Columba livia var domestica).

The endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia var domestica) were studied immunohistochemically, and their distribution and relative frequencies were determined. In the proventriculus, moderate numbers of somatostatin- and numerous gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP)-immunoreactive cells were found. No immunoreactive cells were detected in the gizzard. In the pyloric region, many motilin-immunoreactive cells were found in addition to numerous somatostatin- and gastrin-immunoreactive cells. In the intestine, somatostatin-, gastrin-, serotonin-, neurotensin-, pancreatic glucagon- and enteroglucagon-immunoreactive cells were found to have in differing distribution patterns.