抄録
The elaboration of a third pancreas hormone by the D-cells seems well established though its function is still unknown. The number of D-cells is increased in diabetes mellitus; probably this reflects a compensatory reaction to the metabolic disorders. The regenerative potency of the islets seems to vary greatly from species to species, and this may be important for the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Several strains of rodents with a strong tendency for the development of diabetes may play an important role in future investigations. The histological findings show that at least three pancreas hormones may occur in all vertebrates above the cyclostomes. The existence of “intergrade” cells indicates the common origin of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas; the situation in cyclostomes seems to be a special one. The present state of knowledge, though very limited, indicates that the islet function in lower vertebrates varies from that in mammals. Lower vertebrates may become very important for the discovery of some functions of the islet hormones which are less obvious in the human.
