恒河猴肾上腺皮质的显微与超微结构

应用光镜和透射电镜观察，恒河猴肾上腺皮质可分为球状带、束状带和网状带。其特点是：（1）被膜较发达，有时可伸入球状带将其细胞分隔为团块。（2）球状带有时呈指状指入束状带和网状带，其内可见嗜铬细胞；球状带细胞可分为明、暗2种类型，他们排列成团球状、滤泡状、索状和不规则形。（3）网状带较发达，有的可分为内、外2个区；有时网状带呈刺状伸入束状带；有时网状带细胞可见于被膜下或髓质内。（4）有时部分被膜连同皮质一起呈指状伸入髓质内。（5）皮质细胞均含丰富的溶酶体、线粒体和内质网，但不同部位的细胞所含的脂滴在数量、大小、形态和电子密度等方面存在差异。     

补铬对热应激蛋鸡肾上腺组织结构的影响

试验选择处于热应激条件下的192只35周龄新罗曼褐壳蛋鸡,随机分为6组,分别饲喂添加0.10,20,30,40,50 g/t含铬量为7.410mg/kg的葡萄糖耐量因子(GTF)的玉米—豆粕型基础日粮52d。试验结束时随机抽取试验鸡36只(每组6只),取肾上腺称重并制作切片,研究有机铬对热应激蛋鸡肾上腺组织结构的影响。结果试验组肾上腺重量较对照组略有增加;热应激时蛋鸡肾上腺的肾间组织比例增大,肾间组织和嗜铬组织的细胞均有结构受损的现象;补铬使肾间组织比例减小,嗜铬细胞增多,细胞结构完好。     

Identification of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) adrenal glands and kidneys

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides.     

Histocytological specificities of adrenal cortex in the New World Monkeys, Aotus lemurinus and Saimiri boliviensis

The New World monkey Aotus spp. (night monkeys) are expected for use of valuable experimental animal with the close species of Saimiri spp. (squirrel monkeys). Saimiri is known to show spontaneous hypercortisolemia, although few reports in Aotus. We compared basic states of blood steroid hormones and histological structure of the adrenal glands in two monkeys. Serum cortisol and ACTH levels were statistically lower in Aotus than Saimiri. Conversely, Aotus adrenocortical area showed significant enlargement, especially at the zona fasciculata. Electron microscopic observation at Aotus fasciculata cells revealed notable accumulation of large lipid droplets and irregular shapes of the mitochondrial cristae. These results suggest potential differences in cellular activities for steroidogenesis between Aotus and Saimiri and experimental usefulness in adrenocortical physiology and pathological models.     

Risk factors influencing death prior to discharge in 302 dogs undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of primary adrenal gland tumours

Adrenalectomies for canine adrenal tumours are associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study included assessing the prognostic value of tumour- or surgery-related variables in predicting peri-operative mortality and overall survival in dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for primary adrenal tumours as well as pre-treatment with phenoxybenzamine on survival to discharge with pheochromocytomas specifically. A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was performed across nine institutions. Electronic medical record searches identified 302 dogs which met the inclusion criteria. Data collected included dog-related, tumour-related, treatment-related, surgery-related, and outcome variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression and cox proportional hazards models were used to identify variables associated with death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival. Overall, 87% of dogs survived to discharge with a tumour-related survival time of 3.96 years. Post-operative complications were reported in 25%. Increased surgical time (p = 0.002) and pre-surgical medical treatment other than phenoxybenzamine (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with increased peri-operative mortality while ureteronephrectomy (p = 0.021), post-operative pancreatitis (p = 0.025), and post-operative aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased overall survival. Phenoxybenzamine pretreatment had no effect on peri-operative mortality. Thirty-seven of 45 (82%) dogs with pheochromocytomas not pretreated survived to discharge, and 50 of 59 (85%) dogs with pheochromocytomas pretreated with phenoxybenzamine survived to discharge (p = 0.730). This study provides information on risk factors for death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival that may help guide clinical management and owner expectations. In addition, the study findings challenge the previously reported benefit of phenoxybenzamine for pretreatment of dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC QUANTIFICATION OF CANINE ADRENAL GLAND VOLUME AND ATTENUATION

We conducted a retrospective study in presumed normal dogs to determine the adrenal gland attenuation and volume values. Multidetector computer tomography (MDCT 16) analysis of the gland was carried out in 48 adult dogs without evidence of adrenal gland disease that underwent CT examination for acute spinal injuries. The mean nonenhanced attenuation value +/- SD of the left adrenal gland was 36.0 +/- 5.3 HU (range: 22.0-42.0 HU). The mean nonenhanced attenuation value +/- SD of the right gland was 34.3 +/- 7.0 HU (range: 20.4-48.6HU). The mean enhanced attenuation value +/- SD were: left gland 101.5 +/- 10.6HU (range: 86.8-128.0 HU), and right gland 97.4 +/- 12.4 HU (range: 58.9-123.6 HU). The mean CT volume +/- SD were: left gland was 0.60 cm3 (range: 0.20-0.95; SD 0.17), and right gland (0.55cm3, range: 0.22-1.01; SD 0.19). Attenuation values and volume data were related to age, weight, and gender, using ANOVA. There was no statistically significant difference between the left and right side or in adrenal measurements, because of body weight class effects. The animal effect was the most important source of variation for all adrenal measurements. Based on our study, CT is an effective method for assessing adrenal characteristics in the dog. Normative CT data are provided to allow estimation of normal adrenal gland size and volume.     

Malignant pheochromocytoma presenting as a bradyarrhythmia in a dog

Objective: To describe a case of atrioventricular block and syncope secondary to systemic hypertension in a dog with malignant pheochromocytoma. Case Summary: A 13‐year‐old spayed female mixed‐breed dog presented following an acute onset of collapse. The dog was hypertensive and had paradoxical high‐grade second‐degree atrioventricular block with concurrent syncope. Initial emergent therapy included a nitroprusside infusion for the systemic hypertension and vagolytic therapy for the bradyarrhythmia. A left adrenal mass was seen on abdominal ultrasound and was further characterized by MRI. Following medical stabilization with phenoxybenzamine and propantheline, a left adrenalectomy was performed. Histological diagnosis was consistent with a malignant pheochromocytoma. Following tumor removal there has been no further hypertension, atrioventricular block or syncope. Unique information provided: This is the first documented case of a malignant pheochromocytoma presenting as syncope secondary to hypertension induced atrioventricular block.     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced secretion of cortisol in goats is inhibited by androgen

In a previous study, it was found that there are sex differences in goats with respect to the levels of cortisol secretion induced by transportation stress. We also found that treatment of castrated male goats with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) suppressed the increase in plasma cortisol concentration following transportation, but did not suppress the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This suggests that androgen might block ACTH ‐ induced cortisol secretion. In order to examine this hypothesis, the effects of androgen on ACTH‐induced cortisol secretion in goats were investigated. First, castrated male goats were treated with testosterone (T), DHT or cholesterol (cho) for 21–25 days. Cho was used as a control for T and DHT treatment. Then, plasma cortisol concentrations were compared among the hormonal treatments after ACTH injection. Subsequently, the distribution of androgen receptors in the caprine adrenal gland was investigated. There were no differences in the basal cortisol concentrations among the hormonal treatments. However, plasma cortisol concentrations after ACTH injection were significantly lower in T ‐ and DHT ‐ treated goats than in cho ‐ treated goats. Androgen receptors were present in 60% of the cells in the zonae fasciculata and reticularis of the adrenal cortex, the regions that secrete glucocorticoids. These results suggest that androgen may act directly on the adrenal cortex to suppress cortisol secretion induced by ACTH.