Determination of the Beta Granule Mass in Pancreatic Islets Using Linear Scanning Methods

Abstract

Linear scanning technics were used to quantitate islets of normal, alloxan subdiabetic and alloxan diabetic animals. At low magnification (light microscope), the islet volume was determined on aldehyde-fuchsin stained sections. With oil immersion objectives, the volumes of the cellular components of the islets were obtained. In addition, by scanning electron micrographs, the volume of beta granules quantitated was expressed as per cent of beta cell cytoplasm. Using the successive values, beta granule “mass” (% beta granules x % beta cells x % islet volume) are expressed as per cent of pancreatic volume. These data are correlated with estimates of insulin expressed as units per gram of pancreas.