[Quantitative-histologic studies of human fetal pancreas from metabolically healthy and insulin-dependent diabetic women].

Human fetal pancreases from nondiabetic (n = 26) and insulin-dependent diabetic women (n = 14) between the 13th and 26th week of pregnancy were investigated morphologically. There was in enhanced islet cell volume in fetuses from diabetic patients compared to those from nondiabetics, mainly caused by nesidioblastosis. This phenomenon could be caused by the metabolic state of the insulin-dependent diabetic patients. There were also single beta cells or groups of beta cells, which could be found between the exocrine pancreatic tissue, already at an early stage in pregnancy. It is assumed, that the nesidioblastosis in fetuses from diabetic women is caused by a continuous stimulation of the fetal endocrine pancreas during pregnancy. These results are in a good correlation to the in vitro results of the insulin secretion of human fetal pancreatic slices after incubation.