Summary
The fine structure of the zona reticularis of adult Syrian hamsters was studied and compared with that of hamsters given subcutaneous injections of ACTH (10 units daily) for three days. The general ultrastructural features of the cells of the reticularis were described. The major emphasis however, was placed upon the mitochondria which underwent alterations following ACTH injections. Untreated hamsters exhibited elongated mitochondria, attenuated in their middle parts, which formed wrappings around structures, frequently other mitochondria. The tubular cristae of the majority of the mitochondria projected only part of the way into the matrix so that the interior were relatively free of tubules. In many cases the tubules were arranged parallel with the surface so that the mitochondria appeared to be surrounded by numerous membranes. The animals treated with ACTH very rarely showed elongated, attenuated mitochondria: The mitochondria were more nearly equal in size compared with those of untreated animals and the tubular cristae occupied the majority of the interior of the mitochondria. The possible relationship between the mitochondrial changes and increased steroid synthesis was discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belt, W. D.: Fine structural changes in the adrenal cortex of the hamster during starvation. Anat Rec. 136, 162–163 (1960).
Bennett, H. S., and J. H. Luft: s-Collidine as a basis for buffering fixatives. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 6, 113–114 (1959).
Carr, I.: The ultrastructure of the human adrenal cortex before and after stimulation with ACTH. J. Path. Bact. 81, 101–106 (1961).
Christensen, A. K., and G. B. Chapman: Cup-shaped mitochondria in interstitial cells of the albino rat testis. Exp. Cell Res. 18, 576–578 (1959).
De Robertis, E., and D. Sabatini: Mitochondrial changes in the adrenocortex of normal hamsters. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 667–674 (1958).
Enders, A. C.: Observations on the fine structure of lutein cells. J. Cell Biol. 12, 101–113 (1962).
—, and W. R Lyons: Observations on the fine structure of lutein cells. II. The effects of hypophysectomy and mammotrophic hormone in the rat. J. Cell Biol. 22, 127–141 (1964).
Grant, J., T. Symington, and W. Duguid: Effect of adrenocorticotropic therapy on the in vitro 11 b-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone by human adrenal homogenates. J. clin. Endocr. 17, 933–944 (1957).
Greenberg, L., and D. Glick: Studies in histochemistry. LXIX. Quantitative histological distribution of totally activated phosphorylase in the rat adrenal and the influence of adrenocorticotropic hormone in vitro. J. biol. Chem. 237, 3552–3554 (1962).
Hayano, M., N. Saba, R. I. Dorfman, and O. Hechter: Some aspects of the biogenesis of adrenal steroid hormones. Recent progress in hormone research, vol. 12, p. 79–123. New York: Academic Press 1956.
Haynes, R. C., and L. Berthet: Studies on the mechanism of action of the adrenocorticotropic hormone. J. biol. Chem. 225, 115–124 (1957).
Lever, J. D.: Physiologically induced changes in adrenocortical mitochondria. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, 313–318 (1956).
—: Cytological studies on the hypophysectomized rat adrenal cortex: The alterations of its fine structure following ACTH administration and on lowering the Na/K ratio. Endocrinology 58, 163–180 (1956).
Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).
Nicander, L.: Histological and histochemical studies on the adrenal cortex of domestic and laboratory animals. Acta anat. (Basel) 14 (Suppl.), 1–100 (1952).
Peron, F., and S. Koritz: On the location of the stimulation in vitro by Ca++ and freezing of corticoid production by rat adrenal homogenates. J. biol. Chem. 235, 1625–1628 (1960).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
—: Liver parenchymal cell injury. I. Initial alterations of the cell following poisoning with carbon tetrachloride. J. Cell Biol. 19, 139–158 (1963).
Sabatini, D. D., and E. D. P. De Robertis: Ultrastructural zonation of adrenocortex in the rat. J. biophy. biochem. Cytol. 9, 105–120 (1961).
—, and G. H. Bleichmar: Submicroscopic study of the pituitary action on the adrenocortex of the rat. Endocrinology 70, 390–406 (1962).
Sheridan, M. N., and W. D. Belt: Fine structure of the guinea pig adrenal cortex. Anat. Rec. 149, 73–98 (1964).
Stone, D., and O. Hechter: Studies on ACTH action in perfused bovine adrenals: The site of action of ACTH in corticosteroidogenesis. Arch. Biochem. 51, 457–469 (1954).
Symington, T.: Morphology and secretory cytology of the human adrenal cortex. Brit. med. Bull. 18–19, 117–121 (1962).
Volk, T. L., and D. G. Scarpelli: Alterations in the fine structure of the rat adrenal cortex after the administration of triparanol. Lab. Invest. 13, 1205–1214 (1964).
Yamori, T., S. Matsuura, and S. Sakamoto: An electron-microscopic study of the normal and stimulated adrenal cortex in the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 55, 179–199 (1961).
Zelander, T.: Ultrastructure of mouse adrenal cortex. An electron microscopic study in intact and hydrocortisone treated male adults. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 2, (Suppl.) 1–111 (1959).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Research supported by USPHS Grant AM 08222-02, NB 05665-01 and Anatomy Training Grant 5 T 1 GM 459-05.
Appreciation is extended to Doctor Donald Duncan whose research is supported by USPHS Grant NB 00690-10 S 1 for the use of the electron microscope and to Mr. Joe Mascorro for technical assistance.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yates, R.D. Fine structural observations on untreated and ACTH treated adrenocortical cells of the zona reticularis of Syrian hamsters. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 66, 384–395 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334720
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334720