The granular reticular cells of the thymus in the AKR/JAX mouse

摘要

AbstractThe authors have previously described a hypoglycemia with age in the female AKR/JAX mouse which they attributed to the thymus gland. Using our own modification of Gomori's Aldehyde‐fuchsin stain, cells of the thymus were found to contain purple‐blue granules in degrees and gradations of numbers, sizes and form. It seems likely that these cells have the ability to produce and store a factor or hormone which could directly or indirectly affect the blood sugar. By their histology, these cells have been classified as reticular cells of the thymus in contrast to mast cells or lymphocytes. In their staining ability, appearance and occasional tendency to group themselves in “islets”, these cells do seem to closely resemble the Beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. From an embryological point of view, the thymus and pancreas, both of entodermal origin, are related and it is suggested that this may also be case physiolo