Cell and Tissue Research

, Volume 214, Issue 3, pp 641–649 | Cite as

Fine structure and function of interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of dexamethasone-treated trout (Salmo fario L.)

  • Bernard Jung
  • Marie-Eve Moritz
  • Jean-Pierre Berchtold
Article
Accepted:

Summary

The ultrastructure of the interrenal (adrenocortical) cells of trout (Salmo fario L.) was studied after dexamethasone treatment. A procedure for identifying and isolating interrenal tissue fragments from the surrounding head kidney tissue prior to their preparation for electron microscopy is described. The peripheral plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in order to evaluate the steroidogenic activity of this tissue.

The interrenal cells of control animals contain numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae, and a well developed and highly organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). The scarcity, or absence, of lipid droplets contrasts markedly with the abundance of SER.

Treatment with dexamethasone results in a decrease steroidogenic activity of the interrenal cells, as indicated by the fall in plasma cortisol concentrations. The interrenal cells are small, but still contain numerous mitochondria. The SER is poorly developed, but masses of densely intermeshed smooth cisternae subsist. Lipid droplets do not accumulate in these cells; this peculiarity is discussed in connection with the virtual absence of liposomes in teleost interrenal cells.

Key words

Adrenocortical cells Trout Ultrastructure Dexamethasone Cortisol 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • Bernard Jung
    • 1
    • 2
  • Marie-Eve Moritz
    • 1
    • 2
  • Jean-Pierre Berchtold
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Laboratoire de Zoologie et d'Embryologie expérimentaleUniversité Louis PasteurFrance
  2. 2.Laboratoire de Physiologie Comparée des Régulations (CNRS)StrasbourgFrance

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