Occurrence of biogenic amines in the pancreatic islets of sand rats (Psammomys obesus).

The islets of Langerhans of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) have been investigated ultrahistochemically in order to demonstrate biogenic amines. It could be found that amine-containing vesicles with a diameter of 600-700 nm from the type of catecholamine-granules exist in A-cells as well as in B-cells. It can be stated that the sand rat belongs to the species containing amines in A- and B-cells. The importance of the amines for the regulation of the hormone secretion of the islets of Langerhans is discussed and the connections to diabetes mellitus are referred too.