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.
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.
