Electron microscopic studies on exocrine pancreas of buffalo, sheep and goat

Abstract

The present study investigated the ultrastructural characteristics of the exocrine pancreas in buffalo, sheep, and goat using transmission electron microscopy. In buffalo, the acinar cells were pyramidal with prominent interdigitations, well-developed gap junctions, and large round to oval nuclei containing distinct nucleoli and dense heterochromatin. Extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, and well-organized Golgi complexes were observed. The apical cytoplasm contained abundant, electron-dense, membrane-bound zymogen granules (0.39-1.00 µm). In sheep, the acinar cells exhibited moderate rER, fewer mitochondria, and smaller zymogen granules (0.34-0.97 µm). The presence of elongated centroacinar cells with condensed nuclear membranes, scant cytoplasm, and few organelles such as small mitochondria and free ribosomes was a characteristic feature. In goats, acinar cells showed prominent tight junctions, numerous variably shaped mitochondria, and moderately electron-dense zymogen granules (0.25-0.60 µm). Centroacinar cells with elongated nuclei and limited organelles were also evident within the acini. These findings reveal species-specific ultrastructural variations reflecting functional differences in exocrine secretory activity among domestic ruminants.