HISTOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE ADRENAL TISSUES OF THE GOLDFISH

Abstract

Variations in adrenal cytology have been described in normal and experimentally treated goldfish. There is an intimate association of the interrenal (cortical) and chromaffin (medullary) cells. Histochemical tests revealed sudanophilic and non-sudanophilc granules, Golgi net, and ascorbic acid in the interrenal cells. Two different types of interrenal cell nuclei may be related to different functional states of the cells. ACTH did not alter the granulation of the interrenal cells but produced a denser cytoplasm and (after 48 hours) a marked hyperplasia and a predominance of type I nuclei. There were also marked alterations in the chrome cells of the ACTH fish. Only minor changes followed saline injection. High temperature produced an exhaustion of large areas of the interrenal cells and alterations in the chrome cells. It is suggested that sudden heat exposure leads to release of secretions and that death occurs before the cells can make an adaptive response. On the other hand, the picture associated with chilling was less extreme and more variable and, in this case, it is probable that the more slowly acting low temperature permits time for considerable cell activation. It is not clear from this work whether adrenal exhaustion is responsible for, or even contributes to, the factors which produce temperature death.