Abstract

A quantitative cytological and physiological study of the adrenal cortex cells during compensatory hypertrophy after unilateral adrenalectomy has been made. The weight increase of the gland is accompanied by an almost parallel increase in the number of cells. Therefore no marked variations in the average cell volume took place in the course of hypertrophy, except a slight increase in the second week. Instead, the nuclei of the cells showed notable modifications. Their volumes increased markedly in the first days after the operation and underwent later a rapid decrease, returning after about two weeks around the normal values. In the same period a parallel increase of the nuclear basic proteins (stained by Naphthol Yellow S) and of the total dry mass (measured by microinterferometry on aqueous and non aqueous nuclei) took place. Instead the amount of DNA/nucleus did not show any modifications during the whole experimental period. An early increase of the total cholesterol was observed, also on the basis of tissue weight. The maximal secretion of corticosterone was also increased within the first week of hypertrophy, both on the basis of body weight and of adrenal tissue weight, but decreased afterwards, showing that the hypertrophic adrenal tissue is physiologically less efficient than the normal one.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.