Epsilon cell Epsilon cell Epsilon cells (ε-cells) are endocrine cells found in the Islets of Langerhans and produce the hormone ghrelin. They were discovered in mice. In human fetal pancreases, single epsilon cells scattered in primitive exocrine tissue were observed to start aggregating into clusters after gestational week 13. From gestational week 21, epsilon cells were observed around developing islets, forming an almost continuous layer at the rim of the islets. In adult pancreas samples, they remained localized on the mantle of the islets in different amounts. Production of ghrelin with insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin was not detected during development. Co-production with
Development of the human body Development of the human body Human development is the process of growth to maturity. The process begins with fertilisation, where an egg released from the ovary of a female is penetrated by a sperm cell from a male. The egg then lodges in the uterus, where an embryo and later fetus develop until birth. Further growth and development continues after birth, and includes both physical and psychological development, influenced by genetic, hormonal, environmental and other factors. This continues throughout life, through childhood, and adolescence into adulthood. Development before birth, or prenatal development () is the process in which an embryo