Fine structural analysis of a teleost exocrine pancreas cellular components - a freeze-fracture and transmission electron microscopic study.

The normal exocrine pancreas of Pimelodus maculatus (Teleostei) has been studied by freeze-fracture and conventional transmission electron microscopy. 4 cellular types in the acini are observed: the acinar cells, the argentaffin cells, the intermediate cells and the centroacinar cells. The most proeminent cytoplasmic feature of the acinar cells is that the well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, which appear predominantly under the vesicular form. The argentaffin cells are found lodged between the acinar cells and duct cells, in the connective tissue they are isolated principally that surrounds the ducts. The typical granules are the cytoplasmic component wich characterize the argentaffin cells. The indermediate cells are characterized by the presence of two distinct granule types: one resembling that found in the endocrine cells and the other resembling the granules of the acinar cells. The centroacinar cells is similar that found in other species.