Endocrine System

Pancreatic Islets - Hypoplasia

Narrative
Comment:
Islet cell hypoplasia is considered a congenital change. In cases of islet cell hypoplasia, typically one or two hypoplastic islets are the only islets present in the section (e.g., only two hypoplastic islets in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 and one hypoplastic islet in Figure 4). An adequate section is necessary to confirm this diagnosis since islet size and density vary by region within the pancreas.
Recommendations:
Hypoplasia of the pancreatic islets should be diagnosed and given a severity grade whenever present.
References:

Riley MGI, Boorman GA, Hayashi Y. 1990. Endocrine pancreas. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, 545-553.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563
  • Image of hypoplasia in the pancreatic islet from a female F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Another hypoplastic islet in the same female F344/N rat from a chronic study as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

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<p>Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. One small hypoplastic islet is present in the pancreas in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. One small hypoplastic islet is present in the pancreas in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study.
<p>Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Higher magnification of the hypoplastic islet shown in Figure 1 in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study.</p>

Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Higher magnification of the hypoplastic islet shown in Figure 1 in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study.
<p>Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Another hypoplastic islet in the same female F344/N rat from a chronic study as shown in Figures 1 and 2.</p>

Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Another hypoplastic islet in the same female F344/N rat from a chronic study as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
<p>Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Islet hypoplasia diagnosed in a treated female F344/N rat from a chronic study: only a single hypoplastic islet (arrow) is present within a large sampling of pancreas.</p>

Pancreatic islet - hypoplasia. Islet hypoplasia diagnosed in a treated female F344/N rat from a chronic study: only a single hypoplastic islet (arrow) is present within a large sampling of pancreas.

Authors

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Georgette D. Hill, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Toxicologic Pathologist
Assistant Pathology Program Manager
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc. Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Thomas J. Rosol, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Professor of Veterinary Biosciences
Senior Advisor, Life Sciences, Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Amy Brix, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC