scholarly journals Histology and ultrastructure of the adrenal gland of the greater cane rats (Thryonomis swinderianus, Temminck 1827)

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 873-883
Author(s):  
Casmir Onwuaso Igbokwe
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Present Observation ◽  
Cortical Cells

The adrenal glands of domesticated greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus), were studied using histological and ultrastructural techniques. A total of seven (7) adult male greater cane rats, aged from 10-14 months, with an average weight of 1.89 kg (range: 1.6 -2.2 kg) were used in this study. The results showed variations in the thickness of the zones of the cortex and medulla. Histological detail did not differ significantly from that of other rodents. Ultrastructural features showed typical adrenal gland zonation with capsule, cortical cells and medulla. In the cortex copious lipid droplets and myelin bodies were present. The cortical cells of the zona fasciculata contained concentric whorls of rough endoplasmic reticulum that enclosed2-3 mitochondria. Adrenaline storing (A) and noradrenaline-storing (NA) chromaffin cells along with few vesicular ganglion cells were identified in the medulla. The functional significance of the present observation is discussed.Keywords: adrenal gland, cane rats, histology, ultrastructure

Melatonin Elicits Stimulatory Action on the Adrenal Gland of Soay Ram: Morphometrical, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1173-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doaa M. Mokhtar ◽  
Manal T. Hussein ◽  
Ahmed H. S. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Stimulatory Action

AbstractEndogenous melatonin is a hormone secreted by pineal gland; it has several roles in metabolism, reproduction, and remarkable antioxidant properties. Studies on the melatonin effect on the adrenal glands which are important endocrine organs, controlling essential physiological functions, are still deficient. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effect of exogenous melatonin treatment on the adrenal cortex and medulla using several approaches. Adrenal glands of 15 Soay ram were examined to detect the effect of melatonin treatment. Our results revealed that the cells of adrenal cortex of the treated animals were separated by wide and numerous blood sinusoids and showed signs of increase steroidogenic activity, which are evidenced by functional hypertrophy with increase profiles of mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets. The most striking ultrastructural features in the medulla of the treated group were the engorgement of chromaffin cells with enlarged secretory granules enclosed within a significantly increased diameter of these cells. The cytoplasm of these cells showed numerous mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and glycogen granules. Exocytosis of secretory granules to the lumen of blood vessels was evident in the treated group. Piecemeal degranulation mode of secretion was recorded after melatonin treatment. Chromaffin cells in the control group expressed moderate immunoreactivity to Synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase, compared with intensified expression after melatonin treatment. The ganglion cells of the melatonin-treated group showed a significant increase in diameter with numerous rER. The most interesting feature in this study is the presence of small granule chromaffin cells (SGC) and telocytes (TCs) for the first time in the adrenal glands of sheep. Moreover, these SGC cells, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and progenitor stem cells showed a stimulatory response. The TCs were small branched cells scattered in the adrenal glands around cortical cells, chromaffin cells, nerve fibers, and blood vessels. These cells increased significantly in number, length of their telopodes, and secretory activity after melatonin treatment. In addition, multiple profiles of unmyelinated nerve fibers were demonstrated in all treated specimens. These results indicated that melatonin treatment caused a stimulatory action on all cellular and neuronal elements of the adrenal gland. This study may act as a new direction for treatment of adrenal insufficiency.

Ultrastructural Cytopiasmic Changes of Adrenal Cortex During Pregnancy

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 298-299
Author(s):  
T. M. Murad ◽  
Karen Israel ◽  
Jack C. Geer
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Adrenal Steroids ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Acetyl Coenzyme A ◽  
Adrenal Cortical Cells

Adrenal steroids are normally synthesized from acetyl coenzyme A via cholesterol. Cholesterol is also shown to enter the adrenal gland and to be localized in the lipid droplets of the adrenal cortical cells. Both pregnenolone and progesterone act as intermediates in the conversion of cholesterol into steroid hormones. During pregnancy an increased level of plasma cholesterol is known to be associated with an increase of the adrenal corticoid and progesterone. The present study is designed to demonstrate whether the adrenal cortical cells show any dynamic changes during pregnancy.

THE HISTOGENESIS OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX IN THE FOETAL SHEEP

1979 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Robinson ◽  
Elisabeth J. Rowe ◽  
E. Marelyn Wintour
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cortical Cell ◽  
Outer Zone ◽  
Zona Glomerulosa ◽  
Zona Fasciculata

ABSTRACT The cortex of sheep foetal adrenal glands from 25 days gestation until newborn (term equals 147 ± 3 days) were examined by light and electron microscopy. Three stages of development are of particular importance in relating structure to function: 1) from 35 to 60 days, 2) from 60 to 120 days and 3) from 120 days to term. Between 35 and 60 days one cortical cell type predominated. It contained mitochondria with lamellar and vesicular cristae, scattered long strands of granular endoplasmic reticulum and only small amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. After about 60 days two zones were apparent in the cortex and chromaffin cells became concentrated in the medulla. After 80 days the outer zone contained cells which resembled mature zona glomerulosa cells and the cells in the inner zone remained like those seen between 35 and 60 days, except they contained even less smooth endoplasmic reticulum. However, after about 90 days a small number of deep inner zone cells contained mitochondria with vesicular cristae which thus resemble mitochondria in the mature zona fasciculata. From about 120 days there was an increase in the number of cells in the inner zone that contained mitochondria with vesicular cristae. These cells also contained substantial quantities of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. At term most inner zone cells have this mature appearance. Thus there is no "foetal cortex" in the sheep analogous to that found in human adrenal development, i. e. there is no prominent zone of cells containing large amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum which is present throughout most of the foetal period of development, and which regresses at birth. The structure of the cells present between 35 and 60 days was unexpected because it has been shown previously that sheep foetal adrenals of this age are capable of producing relatively large quantities of steroid hormones. However, the appearance of cells resembling mature zona glomerulosa cells at about 80 days correlates with the previously demonstrated ability of sheep adrenal glands of this age to produce relatively large quantities of aldosterone. The rapid development of numbers of mature cells in the last 3 weeks of gestation correlates with the previously described ability of near term sheep foetal adrenals to produce very large quantities of steroid hormones.

scholarly journals Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and their receptors: distribution and involvement in the secretion of Podarcis sicula adrenal gland

2007 ◽  
Vol 196 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Valiante ◽  
Marina Prisco ◽  
Rosaria Sciarrillo ◽  
Maria De Falco ◽  
Anna Capaldo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Podarcis Sicula ◽  
Adrenal Cell ◽  
Adrenal Cells ◽  
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) are regulatory neuropeptides of the hypothalamus–hypophyseal–adrenal axis, acting via the common receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2 and the selective PACAP receptor PAC1. In the adrenal glands of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis sicula, the presence of VIP in chromaffin cells, and the VIP-stimulated release of catecholamine and aldosterone in vivo, was previously shown. To examine the localization of both peptides and receptors and their mRNAs in the adrenal gland of P. sicula, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed: PACAP and its mRNA were detected in chromaffin cells, VPAC1 was found associated with steroidogenic tissue, VPAC2 and PAC1 with chromaffin tissue. Using ‘far western blot’ technique, we showed the presence of specific binding sites for VIP/PACAP in the adrenal glands of the lizard. The effects of both VIP and PACAP on the adrenal cells of the lizard were examined in vitro in adrenal cell co-cultures: both VIP and PACAP enhanced catecholamine, corticosterone and aldosterone release from adrenal cell co-culture in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The catecholamine release was inhibited by PAC1 antagonist and in VPAC2 immunoneutralized adrenal cells. The effects of VIP and PACAP on aldosterone secretion were counteracted by VPAC1 antagonist administration in vitro. Corticosterone secretion elicited by VIP was not blocked by VPAC1 antagonist, while the PACAP-induced release of corticosterone was blocked by the antagonist. Overall, our investigations indicate that these neuropeptides of the secretin superfamily can act not only as neurotransmitters but also as autocrine and paracrine regulators on chromaffin and cortical cells, being important mediators of the non-cholinergic system in the lizard adrenal gland.

scholarly journals RNA-Seq Reveals Sub-Zones in Mouse Adrenal Zona Fasciculata and the Sexually Dimorphic Responses to Thyroid Hormone

Endocrinology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 161 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiongxia Lyu ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yuan Kang ◽  
Xiangmeng Wu ◽  
Huifei Sophia Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Cell Renewal ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Inner Cortex

Abstract The sex-specific prevalence of adrenal diseases has been known for a long time. However, the reason for the high prevalence of these diseases in females is not completely understood. Mouse studies have shown that the adult adrenal gland is sexually dimorphic at different levels such as transcriptome, histology, and cell renewal. Here we used RNA-seq to show that in prepubertal mice, male and female adrenal glands were not only sexually dimorphic but also responded differently to the same external stimulus. We previously reported that thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ1) in the adrenal gland is mainly expressed in the inner cortex and the fate of this TRβ1-expressing cell population can be changed by thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine; T3) treatment. In the present study, we found that adrenal glands in prepubertal mice were sexually dimorphic at the level of the transcriptome. Under T3 treatment, prepubertal females had 1162 genes differentially expressed between the saline and T3 groups, whereas in males of the same age, only 512 genes were T3-responsive. Immunostaining demonstrated that several top sexually dimorphic T3-responsive genes, including Cyp2f2 and Dhcr24, were specifically expressed in the adrenal inner cortex, precisely in an area partially overlapping with the X-zone. Under T3 treatment, a unique cortical layer that surrounds the adrenal X-zone expanded significantly, forming a distinct layer peculiar to females. Our findings identified novel marker genes for the inner adrenal cortex, indicating there are different sub-zones in the zona fasciculata. The results also highlight the sex-specific response to thyroid hormone in the mouse adrenal gland.

scholarly journals The influence of long term sound stress on histological structure of broiler’s adrenal glands

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1613-1619 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zikic ◽  
G. Uscebrka ◽  
D. Gledic ◽  
M. Lazarevic ◽  
S. Stojanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Histological Structure ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Fire Alarm ◽  
Interrenal Cells

The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of different sound stress duration on adrenal gland of broiler chickens of different age. The experiments were conducted on 90 HYBRO broiler chickens, divided into nine groups (each group consisting of 10 birds) by different age and lenght of sound stress duration. The chickens were exposed to sound stress in sound attenuated building using a fire alarm bell (95 dB) for stress sessions lasted 120 min every day. The histological structure of adrenal gland was analyzed by light microscopy. The results indicate that adrenal gland is sensitive on this kind of stress and sound as stressor could introduce organism in stress reaction. Adrenal glands of broilers exposed to sound stress characterized by marked hyperemia, hypertrophy of interrenal cells, smaller affinity for staining of chromaffin cells compared with control groups. According to our results, degree of histological changes of adrenal gland under the influence of sound stress depends on the length of exposure and age of chickens.

3β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE IN THE ADRENAL GLAND AND PLACENTA

1965 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. BAILLIE ◽  
E. H. D. CAMERON ◽  
K. GRIFFITHS ◽  
D. McK. HART
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Histochemical Demonstration ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Histochemical Reaction ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
Adrenal Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Human Placentae

SUMMARY 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was studied histochemically in human, monkey, and rat adrenal glands and in human placentae. Tissue sections were incubated separately with each of the following substrates: (1) 3β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone); (2) sodium 3β-sulphoxypregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolonesulphate); (3) 3β-acetoxypregn-5-en-20 one (pregnenoloneacetate); (4) 3β,16α-dihydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (16α-hydroxypregnenolone); (5) 3β,17α-dihydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (17α-hydroxypregnenolone); (6) ammonium 3β-sulphoxy-17α-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (17α-hydroxypregnenolone ammonium sulphate); (7) 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (DHA); (8) 3β-sulphoxyandrost-5-en-17-one (DHA sulphate); (9) 3β-acetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one (DHA acetate); (10) androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol (androstenediol). The histochemical results obtained with pregnenolone and DHA as substrates resemble those described by other workers. Using pregnenolone sulphate and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone sulphate, a strong histochemical reaction with diformazan deposition was found in the zona fasciculata of the adrenals of all species and in the placental syntrophoblast. With DHA sulphate an extremely weak histochemical reaction was obtained with the adrenal zona fasciculata, monoformazan only being deposited. The syntrophoblast, however, showed intense 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity when incubated with DHA sulphate. These results accord with recent findings regarding the secretion and metabolism of 3β-sulphoxysteroids. A strong histochemical reaction was also obtained in both adrenal and placental tissues using 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, 16α-hydroxypregnenolone, androstenediol, pregnenolone acetate, and DHA acetate. These steroids have not previously been described as substrates for the histochemical demonstration of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the adrenal or placenta.

scholarly journals Effects of Estrogen and Exercise Stress on Adrenal Glands of Male Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (06) ◽  
pp. 5449-5457
Author(s):  
Can Ismail ◽  
Aksak Karamese Selina ◽  
Findik Guvendi Gulname ◽  
Can Serpil ◽  
Kocaaslan Ramazan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Exercise Stress ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Zona Reticularis ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Short Time

Consciously done exercises are beneficial for human health. However, unconscious and wrong practices (medication use, etc…) can cause various injuries and permanent damage to the human body. For reasons such as increasing muscle mass and/or to getting more performance, taking steroid hormones disrupts overall body hormone balance. Effects of exercise on oxygen and energy metabolism and estrogen as an exogenous steroid have significant effects on the adrenal gland. The aim of this study was to see the effects of 17b-estradiol on surrenal glands of rats that is put through regular physical exercises. 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats between the weights 220-250 gr, were put into thermal-controlled room with day-night cycles to stimulate an optimal day for the subjects. The experiment was modeled by dividing 36 animals into 6 groups in total according to the control, exercising and estrogen administration criteria. Experimental group animals received daily doses of 10 μg/kg/day 17-β-estradiol during 30 days. Also exercises group animals ran at 20 m/min on a 15% grade for 90 minutes and rest 34 minutes. Then, TUNNEL and Hematoxylen & Eosin staining were performed to measure the damage on the adrenal glands. In group 2, dense presence of degenerative fibroblasts and inflammatuary cells infiltration in zona fasciculata were significantly different. In group 3, the degenerative areas were significant in all adrenal cortex zones. In group 4, necrotic areas were determined in zona reticularis. In group 5, zona fasciculata was severely degenerated. With group 6, Sinusoidal features were completely lost in zona reticularis. The results strongly show that exercise may affect the zona glomerulase in short time period. As a result, exposure to exercise and exercise stress with external administration of estradiol may cause cellular degeneration especially zona fasciculata and zona reticularis in the adrenal gland.

scholarly journals The connective tissue sheath of the locust nervous system: its development in the embryo

1965 ◽  
Vol s3-106 (73) ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
DOREEN E. ASHHURST
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Schistocerca Gregaria ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Embryological Development ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Connective Tissue Sheath ◽  
Sheath Cells

The embryological development of the connective tissue sheath around the nervous system has been investigated in Schistocerca gregaria. The sheath cells appear to be derived from outlying ganglion cells. The neural lamella is first visible when the embryo is 9 days old and it increases in thickness until hatching occurs on the twelfth day. It is produced entirely by the sheath cells. The sheath cells have numerous lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. Some neutral mucopolysaccharide and proteins are also present. The histochemical reactions of the neural lamella after its formation suggest that it is composed of collagenous proteins embedded in neutral mucopolysaccharides. The sheath cells are typical fibroblasts during the formation of the neural lamella. The cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum are dilated into vesicles which contain a somewhat electron-dense material. No intracellular fibrils were observed. Collagen fibrils with banding of periodicity between 55 and 60 mµ. are seen in the neural lamella from 11 days onwards.

scholarly journals Histological characteristics of accessory adrenal glands of rabbits with different types of autonomous tonus

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (93) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Zakrevska ◽  
A. M. Tybinka
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Zona Glomerulosa ◽  
Zona Fasciculata ◽  
White Breed ◽  
Histological Characteristics ◽  
Glomerulosa Cells ◽  
Morphological Research ◽  
Zona Glomerulosa Cells ◽  
Historical Indicators

For the purposes of the adrenal gland’s study, 27 four months old male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of Termond White breed were selected. Based on electrocardiography and variation pulsometry results, three types of autonomous tonus were determined in animals: sympathicotonia (ST), normotonia (NT) and parasympathicotonia (PS), which formed the basis for the division of animals into three groups. All rabbits were subjected to euthanasia and histological preparations were made from their adrenal glands. Apart from the main adrenal gland, accessory adrenal gland was detected in five purposes animals, including three ST rabbits, one NT rabbit and one PS rabbit. Also, four accessory adrenal glands were revealed in one ST rabbit simultaneously. In fact, these accessory adrenal glands became the main object of the further morphological research. The obtained historical indicators accessory adrenal glands were compared to the ones from various animal groups (CT with NT and CT with PS), as well as to the indicators of the main adrenal gland in each group. Statistical analysis of the received data was performed only in the group of ST animals. Accessory adrenal gland of ST rabbits is represented by two zones: zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, the area of which is 52% and 48% respectively. In PS and NT rabbits, the glands are formed by zona glomerulosa only. Investigating the accessory adrenal gland’s cellular component, it was found that NT rabbits have the largest cell area in zona glomerulosa, while PS rabbits have the smallest one. At the same time, the area of nucleus has the largest values in ST animals and the smallest ones in PS animals likewise. Сomparing zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata in ST rabbits, it was found that cell size differs significantly, while the area of nucleus is almost identical. The nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in zona glomerulosa cells is the largest for PS rabbits. The smallest ratio values were detected among the NT rabbits. Obviously, ST rabbits occupy an intermediate position. Unlike the main adrenal gland, the cells of accessory adrenal gland are of a smaller size and а denser location of cells in all groups of animals. The conducted studies allow concluding that the typological features of the autonomous tonus affect the morphology of accessory adrenal gland.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document