Development of the embryonic liver and pancreas of the Chinese softshell turtleTrionyx sinensis

The research on hatching ecology of the Chinese softshell turtleTrionyx sinensishas essential guiding roles to clarify the physiological and ecological mechanism of reptile evolution. The aim of this study is to describe the histological changes, differentiation, and maturation of some functional cells during the genesis and development of the liver and pancreas of the Chinese softshell turtleT. sinensis. Softshell turtle eggs were incubated under artificial conditions and hatched within 41-45 days. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained embryonic pancreas and liver were examined at various time points from 2 to 31 days and compared with that of other reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and birds in the literature. Immunohistochemical assay for glucagon and insulin was performed on paraformaldehyde-fixed embryos to identify functional cells in the pancreas. Pancreatic endocrine cells ofT. sinensishave secretory ability at day 26 of embryonic development, and the dispersed pancreatic endocrine cells may be the result of the incomplete pancreatic development.

Automated summary

The research on the hatching ecology of Trionyx sinensis, the Chinese softshell turtle, plays an essential role in clarifying the physiological and ecological mechanisms of reptile evolution. This study focuses on describing the histological changes, differentiation, and maturation of functional cells in the liver and pancreas of T. sinensis during genesis and development. Immunohistochemical assays revealed that pancreatic endocrine cells in T. sinensis exhibit secretory ability by day 26 of embryonic development.