In order to observe localization of pancreatic polypetide containing cell (pp-cell), we studied this cell immunohistochemically in human fetal pancreas from 9 to 40 weeks of gestation age.
1. PP-cells were found as early as in the 9-week fetus. They were observed between epithelia of a primitive pancreatic tubule.
2. In the 13-week fetus, pp-cells were scattered in primitive pancreatic tubules; in primitive acinar cells and at peripheral portion of pancreatic islets.
3. In the 18-24 week fetus, pp-cells were found mainly in exocrine portion, but a few at peripheral portion of pancreatic islets. Thereafter, the number of pp-cell was decreased in exocrine portion while pp-cells were increased in pancreatic islets.
4. In the 26-40 week fetus, a few pp-cells were detected in the exocrine portion and in the ductal system. Pancreatic islets contained pp-cells, were only a few. PP-cells were localized at periphery´ofthe islets.
5. During fetal period, the head of pancreas was composed of pancreatic islets which pp-cells took a high percentage of the endocrine cell population. In the mantle islet, one to three pp-cells were identified in peripheral zone.
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