Evidence for the zonation of interrenal tissue in the adrenal gland of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Abstract

Although interrenal tissue from the intact duck does not show a clear zonation when examined by light microscopy, the tissue does develop a well defined zonation following exposure to high and low levels of corticotropic stimulation. Under these conditions clear ultrastructural differences are seen between cells of the subcapsular zone (SCZ) and the inner zone (IZ). Based on these observations, the ultrastructure of tissue from intact birds was examined retrospectively and in addition, cell sizes and the relative volumes and areas of intracellular components were measured morphometrically. These analyses reveal morphological and quantitative differences between cells from the IZ and the SCZ. Cells of the IZ have small rounded nuclei, extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and mitochondria with tubular cristae, whereas cells from the SCZ contain pleomorphic nuclei, less SER and mitochondria with shelf-like cristae. The mean cell volume in the IZ is significantly less than that in the SCZ. In the SCZ cells the volume densities (volume per unit volume cytoplasm) of mitochondria and lipid droplets and the surface densities (area per unit volume cytoplasm) of the outer mitochondrial membranes are significantly greater than those in IZ cells. Conversely, in the cells of the IZ the volume densities of the nuclei and dense bodies and the surface density of the SER are greater than the corresponding values estimated for the cells of the SCZ. Although the mitochondria comprise a smaller fraction of the mean volume of IZ cells than SCZ cells, the total surface area of the cristae is approximately the same in the cells of both zones.