Ultrastructure of endocrine cells in the mucosa of the body of stomach and its relations with chief cells and parietal cells in mice

Objective To observe the ultrastructure of endocrine cell in the mucosa of stomach and identify its relations with chief cells and parietal cells in mice.Methods The mucosa of the adult mouse stomach was observed with the transmission electron microscope.Results The endocrine cells could be divided into three types,namely type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ based on their ultrastructure of the secretory granules.All types of endocrine cells were in contact with the chief cells or parietal cells and theΩ-shaped invagination was observed on the endocrine cell membrane.Conclusion Type Ⅰ endocrine cells could be basically confirmed as enterochromaffin like cells(ECL cells).It could be assumed that ECL cells not only could functionally exercise influence on the acid secretion from the parietal cells,but also have a close relation with the chief cells.Furthermore,the endocrine cells also have a paracrine effect on the adjacent cells.