Histology and Histochemistry of the Adrenal Gland of the Four-Toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris Wagner, 1841)

Histology and histochemistry of hedgehog adrenal gland

Authors

  • Lanipekun D. O. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  • Olukole S. G. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  • Olagboye I. T. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Adrenal gland, Four-toed hedgehog, histology, histochemistry

Abstract

This study investigated the histology of the adrenal gland of the four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) using basic histological and histochemical techniques. The aim was to provide helpful scientific data on the structure and function of the adrenal gland of this animal. Four adult male four-toed hedgehogs (150-200g) were used for the study and the adrenal glands were processed for routine histology and histochemical procedures of Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson's Trichrome.

The adrenal gland showed the histology of the outer cortex and the central medulla. The adrenal cortex has three zones, the cells of the outermost zona glomerulosa are columnar or pyramidal in shape with closely packed spherical nuclei arranged in curved columns. The middle zona fasciculata possessed large polyhedral cells with foamy cytoplasm, arranged in long parallel cords bounded by sinusoidal capillaries. The cells of the innermost zona reticularis displayed deeply staining nuclei arranged in interconnected cords delineated by fenestrated capillaries. The adrenal medulla was composed predominantly of large, pale-staining irregular or cuboidal medullary cells, which formed clusters separated by numerous sinusoidal blood capillaries and
connective tissue. However, other cell types were not distinguishable within the adrenal medulla. Only the adrenal capsule and zona fasciculata were positive for PAS reaction while the capsule, trabeculae and connective tissue elements within the adrenal medulla containing collagen fibres showed positive staining to Masson's Trichrome.

The study therefore demonstrated that the histology and histochemical features of the adrenal gland of the four-toed hedgehog are similar to other mammals except for minor variations such as the absence of zona intermedia and predominance of the pale-staining cells in the adrenal medulla. This is perhaps the first report on the histology and histochemistry of the adrenal gland of the four-toed hedgehog.

Published

2024-11-14

Issue

Section

Research Articles

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