Amylin‐like immunoreactivity in the extra‐islet peptide YY‐producing and glucagon‐immunoreactive cells in Japanese quail pancreas

Abstract

In this study, we investigated amylin‐like substance distribution in the pancreas of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using a specific anti‐rat amylin serum. We detected amylin‐immunoreactive cells dispersed in the pancreatic extra‐islet region but not in the islet region. The synthetic rat amylin‐containing serum pre‐absorption abolished the staining profile. Almost all amylin‐immunoreactive cells were immuno‐positive for peptide YY (PYY). In addition, certain amylin‐immunoreactive cells stained immuno‐positive for glucagon. Amylin and PYY co‐secreted from the extra‐islet cells might participate in the insulin and glucagon release regulation in the pancreas and food intake modulation through the central nervous system.