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Effect of Zinc Deficiency on the Ultrastructure of the Pancreatic Acinar Cell and Intestinal Epithelium in the Rat^1,2,3,

Department of Food Science, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631

Ultrastructural changes in the pancreatic acinar cell and intestinal epithelium were studied in rats fed a zinc-deficient diet as compared with those of pair-fed and ad libitum fed zinc-supplemented controls. The pancreatic acinar cells of zinc-deficient rats showed marked cellular alterations: a reduction in zymogen granules, rupture of zymogen granules, basal accumulation of lipid droplets, prominent lysosome-like bodies, focal degradation of the cytoplasm, and intracisternal granules within the dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi complex appeared inactive, and nuclear pyknosis was noted. Defects in the endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes were shown by their presence in the foci of cytoplasmic degradation, which were subsequently subject to lysosomal digestion and degeneration. The microvilli of the intestinal epithelium in the zinc deficient rats were well organized and normal in size, demonstrating a typical geometric array when cross-sectioned. The intercellular boundaries, the junctional complexes, and the terminal web were well developed and appeared intact. However, the cell cytoplasm showed prominent cellular changes: an abundance of lysosome-like bodies, membrane-bound autographic vacuoles, sparse endoplasmic reticulum, a quiescent-appearing Golgi complex with tightly packed lamellae containing few vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei, and a dilated nuclear periphery.

KEY WORDS: • pancreas • intestine • zinc • ultrastructure

¹ This manuscript was taken in part from a dissertation submitted to the Graduate School of Clemson University by Sung I. Koo in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

² Published with the approval of the Director of the South Carolina Experiment Station as Technical Contribution No. 1396.

³ Presented in part at the 73rd meeting of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists and published as an abstract in the Food Science and Technology Section, SAAS, 1976, 13, 7 (Abstr.)

⁴ Present address: Department of Physical Biology, New York State Veterinary College, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850.

⁵ Send reprint requests to: D. E. Turk, Food Science Dept., Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

Manuscript received 26 August 1976.