Cytochemical Studies of Protein Uptake by Adrenal Cortical Cells of the Golden Hamster

Abstract

In a previous histochemical study, high levels of acid phosphatase were found in the developing adrenal cortex of the golden hamster. The present study describes the cytochemical localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase in the adult animal. These localizations are then related to protein uptake by adrenal cortical cells using the exogenous horseradish peroxidase as a tracer protein. Animals were sacrificed at times ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours after injection of peroxidase. The techniques described by Novikoff et al. were utilized for localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase.In acid phosphatase preparations (Fig. 1), dense bodies containing reaction product are found in the cytoplasm of most cortical cells and are often associated with small coated vesicles near the Golgi area. Acid phosphatase activity is present in cells of the zona glomerulosa as well as those of the other two cortical zones.