Innervation of the cortical and medullary portions of the adrenal gland of the rat during postnatal life.

Abstract

AbstractThe adrenal glands of four rats from each of the following age groups, newly born and one‐, two‐, three‐, five‐, seven‐, nine‐weeks‐old were used. Sections 15 μ in thickness were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Holmes, Bodian and Bielschowsky methods to show nerve fibers and cells in the gland. At birth the nerve fibers extended from beneath the capsule to the central part of the gland where collections of various neurons were found. After one week, nerve cells (which probably belonged to parasympathetic) were found in the inner part of the fasciculata while the adrenal medulla contained nerve cells which belonged to the two sets of autonomic nervous system. By the end of two weeks a fine plexus of nerve cells and fibers was found in inner fasciculata. In the three‐week‐old rat adrenal the plexus of nerve cells and fibers extended to the zona reticularis. By the age of five weeks the plexus was present in the inner fasciculata as well as in the reticularis. The clusters of sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglion cells were a constant feature of the medulla. By the end of seven and nine weeks the intrinsic adrenal plexus was a principal feature of the zona reticularis. The functional significance of the profuse intrinsic nerve supply of both the cortical and medullary portions of the gland is discussed.