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Gestational changes in hamster adrenal cortex: morphometric and ultrastructural stereologic studies.

M Nowak1, P Rebuffat, G Mazzocchi

  • 1Department of Histology, Poznań Academy of Medicine, Poland.

Cell and Tissue Research
|January 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

During hamster pregnancy, adrenal glands enlarge, with significant changes in the zona reticularis (ZR) and zona fasciculata (ZF) cell volumes and lipid droplet accumulation. Cortisol output decreases throughout gestation.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Adrenal gland function is crucial for maintaining homeostasis during pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy induces significant physiological adaptations, including hormonal and metabolic shifts.
  • Understanding adrenal gland dynamics during gestation provides insights into maternal-fetal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the morphological and volumetric changes in the hamster adrenal cortex during pregnancy.
  • To assess alterations in cellular compartments, including mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
  • To correlate these structural changes with adrenal cortisol output.

Main Methods:

  • Stereological analysis of adrenal gland sections from pregnant and control hamsters.

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  • Measurement of cell and organelle volumes (zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, zona reticularis).
  • Assessment of lipid droplet and smooth endoplasmic reticulum content.
  • Measurement of cortisol output from adrenal homogenates.

    • Main Results:

    • Adrenal gland weight increased during gestation, peaking at day 5.
    • Zona reticularis volume significantly increased, while zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata volumes showed dynamic changes.
    • Cellular volumes, mitochondrial content, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum increased, alongside a rise in lipid droplets in ZF and ZR cells.
    • Total parenchymal cell number peaked at day 10, then decreased, primarily due to ZF-cell reduction.
    • Cortisol output progressively decreased throughout pregnancy.

    Conclusions:

    • Hamster adrenal cortex undergoes significant structural remodeling during pregnancy, particularly in the zona reticularis.
    • These adaptations involve changes in cellular organelles and lipid metabolism, potentially supporting pregnancy demands.
    • The observed decrease in cortisol output suggests a complex regulatory mechanism during gestation.