Effect of acute heat stress on rat adrenal glands: a morphological and stereological study.
The morphological and stereological structure of rat adrenal gland was analysed by light microscopy after an acute (60 min) exposure to high ambient temperature (38 degrees C). A significant increase in plasma corticotrophin (ACTH) and serum corticosterone (CORT) concentrations was observed, confirming that acute heat exposure has a strong stressful effect. Under these conditions the adrenal gland mass and volume were decreased, probably as the consequence of adrenal cortex reduction, especially that of the zona fasciculata (ZF). Histological examination revealed that many ZF cells were deprived of lipid droplets. Fibrosis was observed in all parts of the adrenal gland, both cortex and medulla, of heat stressed animals. Mitotic figures were absent in cortical cells after heat exposure, but there were no differences in ZF and zona reticularis (ZR) small blood vessels compared to nonstressed controls.
Koko
Vesna
V
Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. vesnak@bf.bio.bg.ac.yu
Djordjeviae
Jelena
J
Cvijiae
Gordana
G
Davidoviae
Vukosava
V
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015383:Zona Fasciculata / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone