Distribution of enteroglucagon- and polypeptide YY-immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the white-belly opossum (Didelphis albiventris).

Several segments of the gastrointestinal tract of the white-belly opossum Didelphis albiventris were investigated immunocytochemically for the occurrence of polypeptide YY (PYY) and enteroglucagon (GLU). PYY- and GLU-immunoreactive cells were observed in the lower part of the ileum, cecum and colon. These cells were seen to emit cytoplasmic basal processes to the neighbouring cells with a number of them reaching the glandular lumen via apical cytoplasmic process. GLU-immunoreactive cells were also present in the oxyntic mucosae and in the pancreatic duct. Staining of consecutive sections for the two polypeptides, respectively, revealed the coexistence of immunoreactivity for PYY and GLU in the same cell type.