Abdelhay M. Ali & Abdelrahman M.A. Elseory

This study investigated the histogenesis of the pancreas, with a focus on β-cells differentiation and distribution in the dromedary camel fetus. Twenty-seven fetuses at different stages of gestation were used to examine their pancreas using both histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The findings indicated that during the first trimester, the pancreatic tissue of the fetus featured tubular formations of epithelial cells with individual endocrine cells. By the end of this phase, acinar structures, ducts, and more endocrine cells appeared. In this period, β-cells appeared individually or in small clusters. As gestation progressed into the second trimester, the pancreas developed more acinar units, irregular lobes, and lobules. A distinct capsule also appeared. Towards the end of this stage, fat cells, ganglia, blood vessels, nerve fibers, interlobular ducts, and small pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) were observed. β-cells proliferated in the tubules, ducts, and smaller pancreatic islets. In the third trimester, a well-developed capsule and septa were observed. The pancreatic parenchyma showed numerous acini in densely packed lobes. Pancreatic islets were tiny and expanded, with fewer individual endocrine cells among the parenchyma. The β-cells are grouped into many small and a few larger pancreatic islets. In conclusion, the embryo's pancreatic structure in dromedary camels evolves from tubular formations in early gestation to compact lobes and lobules with more pancreatic islets before birth.

KEY WORDS: Dromedary camel; Fetus; Immunohistochemistry; Histology; Pancreas.

ALI, A. M. & ELSEORY, A. M. A. Histological study on the prenatal development of the pancreas in camel (Camelus dromedarius) with some emphasis on β- cells immunohistochemically. Int. J. Morphol., 44(1):211-220, 2026.