Histomorphic and histochemical observations on the adrenals of the reserpine-treated lizards, Calotes versicolor.

Abstract

1. Cytomorphic and cytochemical studies were made on the adrenal cortex and medulla in the garden lizard, Calotes versicolor at 4, 24, 72 and 120 hr stages following a single intramuscular injection of reserpine (0.8 mg/100 g body wt.).2. The concentration of the total catecholamines in general as well as noradrenaline in particular, and the total catecholamine-containing as well as noradrenaline-containing areas became reduced at 4 and 24 hr stages, but remained similar to those in the corresponding controls at 72 and 120 hr stages. Significant alteration in the average nuclear volume did not occur at any of the selected experimental periods. These findings indicated that reserpine induced initial depletion of the stored noradrenaline (and adrenaline?) but did not lead to any remarkable activation of the adrenomedullary cells.3. The ascorbic acid concentrations in the adrenocortical cells in most or all of the experimented lizards decreased at 4 and 24 hr stages but remained along the control level of concentrations at subsequent periods (72 and 120 hr). The average nuclear volume of these cells increased significantly at 24 hr stage only. These findings indicated that reserpine stimulated adrenocortical activity that persisted at the initial experimental stages (4 and 24 hr) and subsequently attained the control level of activity.