Evaluation of adrenal gland at pre and post maturation in domestic cats: A comparative histological study

Abstract

Object of this study was to describe the histological composition of the adrenal gland in immature and adult local domestic cats. Twenty four healthy cats, as twelve immature aged 2-3 months and twelve adult aged 11-12 months were used. Post euthanized of all cats, their abdominal dissected, identified their adrenal glands and taken carefully. Proper specimens for histological assessment from glands were obtained and after fixation and processing routinely, thin sections prepared and stained. Histological results illustrated, in both ages of the cat, a connective tissue capsule encircled the gland. Two zones of tissues were represent the gland parenchyma including medullary region that hold chromaffin cells, and outer cortex which composed of glomerular, fasciculate, and reticular zones, which contain cells that differ in shape and arrangement. According to data analysis that related to measurements of basic structures of gland, it was revealed that significant differences in most them between the left and right gland as well as between both ages of cats. In conclusion, the study confirmed that the adrenal gland in immature cats showed a distinguish in formation of all basic structure of the gland despite the difference in the thickness of those structure from that of adult cats.