Autonomic Innervation of Pancreas in Egyptian Spiny Mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest)

The aim of the study was to obtain details of the morphology of the autonomic innervation of pancreas. Six adult Egyptian spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) were studied for the presence and location of autonomic fibres and cells in the pancreas. The macromorphological investigations were performed using the thiocholine method adapted for this type of specimens. For processing tissues two histochemical techniques were used: thiocholine method on activity of AChE and the glyoxylic acid method for adrenergic structures. Cholinergic fibres and small autonomic ganglia were found among the secretory sections and along the pancreatic duct and both pancreaticoduodenal arteries, and its branches, reaching the Langerhans islets and forming around them a kind of net. From 24 to 40 AChE-positive ganglions in the whole exocrine part were observed. The highest density of cholinergic fibres was observed in the head of pancreas. Numerous adrenergic fibres that accompanied blood vessels as well as interlobular and intralobular ducts were found inside the exocrine parts of the pancreas. Neither adrenergic cells or adrenergic fibres were observed inside the pancreatic islets. Our results can be used in comparative anatomy studies of pancreas in mammals.