Anatomical studies on the pancreas of sheep (Ovis aries)

Abstract

Pancreas was pale pink coloured, lobulated gland located along the median plane in the abdominal cavity. In group I, Islets of Langerhans appeared at 47 days of gestation. In group II, at 77 days of gestation, different types of cells viz., alpha, beta and delta cells were found intermingled with each other. In group III, at 118 days of gestation, the mean length and width of the islets were increased. In group IV, Islets of different sizes and shapes appeared as pale cluster of cells. The mean length and width of the islets decreased with age. The cells of islets of Langerhans showed mild PAS, Millon’s reaction, weak acid phosphatase and strong alkaline phosphatase, alpha naphthyl acetate esterase reactions in all the age groups studied.