Histochemical and morphometric study of the adrenal cortex in experimental serum sickness

ABSTRACT

The ascorbic acid content as well as the thickness and cellularity of the zona glomerulosa and fasiculata were determined in the adrenal cortex of rabbits subjected to acute experimental serum sickness. It has been found that serum sickness is accompanied by diminution of ascorbic acid content together with increased thickness and cellularity of both zona glomerulosa and fasciculata, which was particularly marked five days following injection of horse serum. The functional significance of these changes and the role of adrenal cortical hormones in allergy were discussed