Histochemical studies on the zona reticularis of stress-susceptible pigs

During an investigation into the role of the adrenal gland in stress susceptibility of pigs, the large lipid masses in the inner zona reticularis were seen to be particularly related to sex differences, although stress-susceptible castrates had significantly more lipid in this zone than had stress-resistant castrates. Significant histochemical differences were also found in the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase between the sexes and between castrates of differing susceptibility to stress. The differences in histochemical activity suggest a different origin for some of the adrenocortical cells in the inner zona reticularis.