Immunocytochemical demonstration of gastric endocrine cells in the stomach gland patch of the koala, Phascolarctos cinerus.

The relative frequency and topographical distribution of endocrine cells containing gut hormones were studied by immunocytochemistry in the stomach gland patch of the koala. Numerous somatostatin- and a moderate number of bovine pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells were found primarily in the lower two-thirds of the oxyntic glands. 5-hydroxytryptamine-immunoreactive cells were few in number and scattered throughout these glands. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were observed only rarely and then were confined to the basal region of the oxyntic glands.