The endocrine cells of the chicken proventriculus.

The endocrine cells of the chicken proventriculus were investigated by selective staining techniques, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The following endocrine cell types were identified: 1) Argyrophilic ECL-cells, of unknown function, were very numerous in the 21-day-old chick, but less numerous in the newborn chick; 2) somatostatin-producing D-cells; 3) GLI-cells producing glucagon-related peptides; 4) X-cells of unknown function; 5) BN-cells producing bombesin; and 6) relatively few 5-hydroxytryptamine-producing EC-cells. Each of these cell types show a distinct morphology, distribution and histochemical reactivity. With the exception of BN-cells, they resemble rather closely the corresponding endocrine cell types previously described in the oxyntic mucosa (EGL, D, X and EC cells) or in the intestinal mucosa (L-cells) of the mammalian gut.