Morphometric and fine-structural studies of rat pancreatic acinar cells during early postnatal life

Pancreatic acinar cells of rats obtained at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days of age were examined using fine structural and morphometric techniques. From 5 days of age onwards, the acinar cells were analysed twice per day, at 20.00 h and 08.00 h. The present study demonstrates changes in the average volume of the cell, nucleus and cytoplasm, and volume densities of various cytoplasmic organelles during the first two weeks after birth. During early postnatal life, the volume density of rER increases, whereas that of zymogen granules decreases. From 5 days of age onwards, the volume densities of these two organelles differ significantly at 20.00 h and 08.00 h. During the first 2-3 days after birth, inclusion body-like structures appear in the cytoplasm of acinar cells; they contain aggregated zymogen granules and, sometimes, amorphous structures of cytoplasmic organelles. These structures also occur in interstitial cells and cells located in the intercalated region between acinar and ductal epithelial cells. Serum level of alpha-amylase activity is high at birth, compared with other stages during the first three weeks. Degenerating acinar cells and cell debris can be seen in the acinar and ductal lumina during these stages, a feature suggesting holocrine secretion. Cellular polarity appears to be incomplete during the first two or three days after birth.