Endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tracts of 3 teleostean species.

Endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tracts of 3 teleostean species (Lepomis gibbosus, Morone americana and Notemigonus crysoleucas) were studied using several staining techniques: Masson-Hamperl argentaffin reaction, Singh's argyrophil reaction, Schmorl's ferricyanide test and MacConnail's lead hematoxylin; only the argyrophil method showed a positive reaction. In L. gibbosus and M. americana, endocrine cells of proximal (corporic) stomach were seen singly among the surface epithelial cells while those of distal (pyloric) stomach were more numerous and located in irregular patches. A small number of positive cells were found in the gastric glands of corporic stomach. A few argyrophil cells were seen among the surface intestinal epithelial cells of N. crysoleucas but none were seen in the intestines of L. gibbosus and M. americana.