Histomorphometrical study on pancreas in pre- and postnatal Mehraban male sheep

In the present study, different structures of the stroma and parenchyma of pancreas in Mehraban breed of male sheep were histomorphometrically studied. Animals were collected from different age groups including fetus, neonate, young and old adults. In each group, 3 animals and total of 12 animals were used. Histomorphometric studies consisted of the determination of volume density of stromal and parenchymal structures and the percentages of islet cells in different age groups. The results indicated that volume density of endocrine portion and connective tissue elements of pancreas between fetus and neonate and also between neonate and adult were significantly different. There was an apparent significant difference in volume density of blood vesseles between neonate and old adult. A significant difference was also seen in volume density of ducts in the right lobe of neonate pancreas compared to the left lobe and body of pancreas, but no significant differences were seen in the other age groups. There was a significant difference in the mean number of beta cells in old adult compared to others, which indicated that this endocrine cell increased at this age. The percentages of endocrine cells varied in different age groups, but the predominant cell type of islets was beta and then alpha cells. There was low number of delta cells. The highest percentages of beta, alpha and delta cells were found in neonate, young adult and fetus, respectively. The lowest percentages of these cells were observed in fetus, neonate and neonate, respectively.