Adrenal glands of slaughtered bulls, heifers and cows: a histological study

The study involved histological and immunohistochemical examinations of the adrenal glands of healthy slaughtered cattle. Glands of 13 bulls, 10 heifers and 10 cows were examined. The following histological findings were observed: Unequal thickness of connective capsule and nodular formations of the zona glomerulosa (ZG), eosinophilic granules in cells of the ZG, globoid arrangement of the zona fasciculata, nodules or pegs of cortical tissue in the medulla, mutual interlacing of superficial and deep zones of the medulla, proliferation of cortical or medullary cells into the blood vessels wall situated in the medulla and focal inflammatory infiltrates. Cortical cells and noradrenalin-secreting (N) cells in the medulla expressed cytoplasmic positivity of S100 protein. Both adrenalin (A) cells and N cells were positive in synaptophysin. The majority of the cells in the cortex and in the medulla displayed were positive for chromogranin A. Electron microscopy showed structureless, electrondense particles of varying size and shape, mostly displaying the having mostly character of secretory granules.