Age related changes in the rat adrenal gland during prenatal period; [study-1]

ABSTRACT

Adrenals are complex and important glands of dual character in mammals. The growth of the rat adrenal gland is relatively slower than the general body growth. To observe the age related changes in the adrenal gland of the albino rat during prenatal period. SETTING: Albino rats used were obtained from Animal House of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Twenty four fetuses of 15,17,19 and 21 days of gestation were used by dividing into four groups [A to D] each composing 6 fetuses. METHODS: Right adrenals were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. Were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The adrenals showed continuous growth throughout the study. The pancenchymal zonation of cortex started on 15th day and developed on 21st day. In all the cortical zones, the predominance of desk cells over the light cells was observed irrespective of age group studied. The mitotic activity was maximum at the time of birth in both the zones of cortex. The lipid globules in the cortex started developing on 21st day. The medulla appeared distinctly on the 19th day. Both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers were observed in between the cortical cells traversing the whole thickness of cortex from capsule to the medulla