[Presence of biogenic amines in the Langerhans' islets of the sand rat (Psammomys obesus) (author's transl)].
The islets of Langerhans of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) have been investigated ultrahistochemical in order to demonstrate biogenic amines. It could be found that amine containing vesicles with a diameter of 600 to 700 nm from the type of catecholamine granules exist in A-cells as well as in B-cells. Further, 2 very rare cell types not containing specific hormone granules could be found. These cells contain particles, in one case similar to catecholamine granules and in the other case representing serotonine-like granules according to their electron optical properties. It can be stated that the sand-rat belongs to the species containing amines in A- and B-cells. Moreover they contain 2 amines simultaneously. The importance of the amines for the regulation of the hormone secretion of the islets of Langerhans is discussed and the connections to the diabetes mellitus are refered to.