Morphology and ultrastructure of the adrenal gland in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus).
In the present study, we examined the morphological features of the adrenal gland in Bactrian camel by means of digital anatomy, light and electron microscopy. Our findings testified that the gland was divided into three parts, capsule, cortex and medulla from outside to inside as other mammals, and the cortex itself was further distinguished into four zones: zona glomerulosa, zona intermedia, zona fasciculate and zona reticularis. Notably, the zona intermedia could be seen clearly in the glands from females and castrated males, whereas it was not morphologically clear in male. There was a great deal of lipid droplets in the zona fasciculate, while it was fewer in the zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis. The cytoplasm of adrenocortical cell contained rich mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The adrenal medulla was well-developed with two separations of external and internal zones. The most obvious histological property of adrenal medulla cells were that they contained a huge number of electron-dense granules enveloped by the membrane, and so medulla cells could be divided into norepinephrine cells and epinephrine cells. Moreover, the cortical cuffs were frequently present in adrenal gland. Results of this study provides a theoretical basis necessary for ongoing investigations on Bactrian camels and their good adaptability in arid and semi-arid circumstances.
School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, PR China; Key Lab of Arid and Grassland Agroecology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
Wen-Ling
WL
Ye
School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, PR China.
Feng-Ling
FL
Wang
School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, PR China.
Hong-Ju
HJ
Wang
Key Lab of Arid and Grassland Agroecology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. Electronic address: hexi81@163.com.
Jian-Lin
JL
Wang
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure*
Adrenal gland; Anatomical; Bactrican camel; Digital morphology; Histological; Ultrastructure