Histological Evaluation of the Cryo-Destruction of the Zona Glomerulosa (Outermost Layer) of the Adrenal Cortex

Location

CSU 253/254/255

Start Date

12-4-2004 1:45 PM

End Date

12-4-2004 3:15 PM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Penny Knoblich

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

The outer portion, or cortex, of the adrenal gland produces three hormones, two of which are highly critical to normal function. The cortex itself is divided into three layers, each responsible for a certain hormone synthesis. The outermost layer (zona glomerulosa) produces aldosterone, a hormone involved in the regulation of body sodium, blood volume, and blood pressure. The middle layer produces cortocosterone, a hormone involved in a variety of biological functions, and necessary for life. Due to its effects on blood volume, aldosterone has been implicated in the development of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Aldosterone has been studied through the use of receptor blocking agents, which are associated with undesirable side effects, and complete adrenalectomy (removal of both adrenal glands), which eliminates both aldosterone and corticosterone. The overall objective of the current study is to produce a surgically induced low aldosterone rat model, with functioning lower adrenal layers, by cryo-destruction of only the zona glomerulosa The present study histologically evaluated the success of the cryo-destruction. Adrenal glands were removed from rats 2, 4, and 8 weeks after cryo-destruction of the left adrenal zona glomerulosa. Glands were fixed in paraffin, sectioned, stained, and viewed under a microscope. Presence or absence of each of the three layers of the adrenal cortex were determined. We hypothesized that the cryo-destruction will have eliminated, or nearly eliminated the outermost layer of the adrenal gland, while conserving the structural and functional integrity of the lower layers.

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Apr 12th, 1:45 PM Apr 12th, 3:15 PM

Histological Evaluation of the Cryo-Destruction of the Zona Glomerulosa (Outermost Layer) of the Adrenal Cortex

CSU 253/254/255

The outer portion, or cortex, of the adrenal gland produces three hormones, two of which are highly critical to normal function. The cortex itself is divided into three layers, each responsible for a certain hormone synthesis. The outermost layer (zona glomerulosa) produces aldosterone, a hormone involved in the regulation of body sodium, blood volume, and blood pressure. The middle layer produces cortocosterone, a hormone involved in a variety of biological functions, and necessary for life. Due to its effects on blood volume, aldosterone has been implicated in the development of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Aldosterone has been studied through the use of receptor blocking agents, which are associated with undesirable side effects, and complete adrenalectomy (removal of both adrenal glands), which eliminates both aldosterone and corticosterone. The overall objective of the current study is to produce a surgically induced low aldosterone rat model, with functioning lower adrenal layers, by cryo-destruction of only the zona glomerulosa The present study histologically evaluated the success of the cryo-destruction. Adrenal glands were removed from rats 2, 4, and 8 weeks after cryo-destruction of the left adrenal zona glomerulosa. Glands were fixed in paraffin, sectioned, stained, and viewed under a microscope. Presence or absence of each of the three layers of the adrenal cortex were determined. We hypothesized that the cryo-destruction will have eliminated, or nearly eliminated the outermost layer of the adrenal gland, while conserving the structural and functional integrity of the lower layers.