Effect of anoxia and heat on the histological structure and lipid content of mouse adrenal cortex

Nine male mice were included in the present study. They were kept in individual small cages in an oven of constant temperature at 45C, with low oxygen content, then the adrenal glands were taken at different periods of time [5, 10 and 15 minutes]. The histological changes and lipid content have been studied. The results obtained indicated that heat exposure with anoxia showed fast and severe changes within 10 minutes of time. Marked dilatation of blood sinusoids was observed, extending deeply to the outer zona fascicualata. Most of the zona fasciculata was initially occupied by clear cells which later on changed to be compact. Patchy loss of the subglomerlosal zone was seen. Gradual lipid depletion occurred after 10 minutes of exposure to heat and anoxia

Effect of cold on ascorbic acid content and acid phosphatase activity of mouse adrenal cortex

Histochemical studies of ascorbic acid content and acid phosphatase activity of mouse adrenal cortex after cold exposure revealed that, 0.5 hour after cold exposure, the ascorbic acid depletion began to appear from the inner as well as the outer cortex. One hour after cold exposure, the decrease of ascorbic acid content continued to occur from the inner zones. After 2 hours of cold exposure, more concentration of ascorbic acid granules was observed in the inner cortex. Meanwhile, the activity of acid phosphatase was found to increase in zona fasciculata and to decrease in zona reticularis at the same intervals of time [after 0.5 hour, one hour and 2 hours of cold exposure]