INNERVATION OF THE PANCREAS OF THE ONE-HUMPED CAMEL (CAMELUS-DROMEDARIUS) BY NEUROPEPTIDE-Y, GALANIN, CALCITONIN-GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE, ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE AND CHOLECYSTOKININ

The distribution of neuropeptide-Y (NPY), galanin (GAL), cholecystokin in-8 (CCK-8), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and calcitonin gene-rel ated peptide (CGRP) in the pancreas of the camel was investigated usin g immunohistochemical techniques. NPY-immunoreactive neurons were obse rved in the pancreatic ganglia and also in the interacinar regions of the exocrine pancreas. NPY was discernible in fine varicose nerve fibr es ending on NPY-negative cells and in the walls of blood vessels. ANP immunoreactivity was observed in nerve fibres situated on the basolat eral surfaces of the acinar cells, CCK-8, GAL and CORP immunoreactivit y were observed in neurons and varicose nerve fibres in the walls of b lood vessels. Of all the neuropeptides investigated, only NPV appeared to be densely distributed in the pancreas of the camel. It is conclud ed that the pattern of distribution of these neuropeptides in ?he came l pancreas is similar to ?hose observed in the pancreata of other mamm als.