On the origin and prenatal development of the bovine adrenal gland

Decisive steps of bovine prenatal adrenal development were investigated in 46 embryos and fetuses using histological, electron microscopical, immuno-, enzyme and lectin histochemical methods. About day 30, the intermediate mesoderm between the cranial mesonephros and coelomic cavity is segmentally organized. It consists of proliferating tissue complexes that are connected to the coelomic cavity by vestigial nephrostomial tubules. This segmental organization soon disappears, however, due to longitudinal fusion of the tissue complexes into a continuous joined blastema. This blastema of intermediate mesodermal (nephric) origin becomes positive for alkaline phosphatase at about 30 days, and slightly later also for acetylcholinesterase. The most cranial portions of this common blastema represent the adrenocortical anlage, the following portions the gonadal rete blastema. A reevaluation of the comparative anatomical record revealed that a nephric origin of adrenocortical or interrenal cells is a general feature of all vertebrates and that the erroneous assumption of the lateral plate-derived coelothelium as precursor of the adrenocortical (interrenal) blastema should be definitively abandoned. The first adrenomedullary precursor cells become visible in the bovine adrenal primordium at day 35. At 50 days, both components (medullary and cortical precursors) are present as interpenetrating plates and strands between large sinusoid vessels and exhibit a strong MIB-1 activity, indicative of a high proliferation rate. About day 60 the cellular proliferation slows down in some of the adrenocortical precursor cells, and the separation into a visible cortex and medulla is initiated. From about day 80 on, the medullary tissue coalesces into a large, continuous area in the interior of the gland, surrounded by a narrow cortical glomerulo-fasciculata that becomes positive for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase at about day 90. Autonomous nerves penetrate the blastemal region as early as day 31. When the separation into cortex and medulla starts, the nerves are more concentrated in the latter. From 130 days on, nerve fascicles reach the interior of the organ not only from its medial side, but also from the capsule surrounding the gland. The penetrating bundles traverse the zona glomerulo-fasciculata without ramification and split off at the border to the medulla. Here, in the outer zone of the medulla, they constitute a particularly dense plexus, whereas in the central medulla a less dense innervation is observed. Up until 90 days, cells with the characteristic features of primordial germ cells are present within the confines of the adrenal gland.     

Ultrastructure of the fetal rat adrenal gland at full-term and during prolonged gestation

The ultrastructure of the fetal rat adrenal gland is described at full-term (day 22) and during artificially prolonged gestation (days 23, 24, 25). The latter was achieved by daily subcutaneous injections of seven mg progesterone to gravid females from the twentieth through the twenty-fourth day. Cortical and medullary cells contained well developed organelles at all stages. Nonetheless, zonation of the gland was not yet distinct. Whereas the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata were fairly well delineated, the zona reticularis and medulla were as yet poorly defined. The latter regions were intermingled, and thus collectively referred to as the “zona reticulo-medullaris.” During prolonged gestation (days 24 and 25 only), many cells of the zona fasciculata and zona reticulo-medullaris contained dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and numerous enlarged mitochondria. Enlarged mitochondria were observed also in medullary cells concurrent with a paucity of catecholamine storage granules. Moreover, meconium staining, which is indicative of fetal stress, was also observed on days 24 and 25. The ultrastructural changes observed were interpreted to be an expression of response by the fetal adrenal gland to fetal stress produced by as yet undetermined factors arising during prolonged gestation.     

Spontaneous or experimentally induced formation of a special zone in the adrenal cortex of the adult brush-tailed possum (trichosurus vulpecula)

The cytology and ultrastructure of the hypertrophied special zone, which is formed spontaneously in the adrenal cortex of adult female brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), was compared to the adrenocortical tissue in adult males in which the special zone, normally absent, was induced following castration alone or by additional treatment with folliclestimulating hormone (FSH). The special zone in females was situated between the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, the latter being a rudimentary zone in this species. Special zone tissue extended as a broad band parallel to and on one side of the adrenal medulla. In the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle, the special zone cells showed ultrastructural features commonly associated with steroidogenic tissues, with many mitochondria and compact masses of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Cytoplasmic lipid inclusions were rarely observed. In lactating females, however, the special zone cells exhibited cytological and ultrastructural features suggestive of a transformation in their morphology broadly divided into two types of cells: (1) cells at the periphery of the special zone (closest to the zona fasciculata) showed variable quantities of lipid inclusions, mitochondria with dispersed cristae, and segregation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum into compact masses; (2) cells within the more central regions showed an increasing abundance of lipid inclusions which in many cells became the dominant feature of the cytoplasm. These special zone cells contained very little smooth endoplasmic reticulum and their mitochondria contained few cristae together with amorphous granular material within the matrix. In castrated males, special zone tissue developed between the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, appearing initially as focal islands of cells (8 months postcastration) and later (11 months postcastration) expanding into a single zone, probably via the proliferation and differentiation of adjacent cells of the zona fasciculata and longitudinal growth of the special zone. Similar focal aggregations of special zone cells were induced after 14 days of FSH treatment given to 2-month castrated males. In all castrated and FSH-treated castrated males, the ultrastructure of special zone cells was similar to that of special zone cells in luteal-phase female possums. The findings suggest that the formation and cellular composition of the special zone is associated with changes in the pituitary-gonadal axis and that FSH plays a primary role in the differentiation of this tissue.     

Co-localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivities in the nerve fibers of the rat adrenal gland

The co-localization of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) with Neuropeptide Y (NPY) or its C-flanking peptide (C-PON) was investigated with immunocytochemistry methods in the adrenal gland of the rat. Most of the VIP immunoreactive (+) nerve fibers found in the capsule/glomerular zone also exhibited NPY or C-PON immunoreactivity (IR). We found that at least two populations of VIP varicose nerve fibers can be observed, the most prevalent exhibited both VIP/NPY or VIP/C-PON IR and the other which was rather scarce lacked NPY or C-PON IR. In the superficial cortex VIP/NPY or VIP/C-PON IR nerve fibers were often associated with capsular or subcapsular vascularization and extended into the zona glomerulosa. In the deeper layers of the adrenal cortex radial fibers were closely associated with the inner vascularization of the zona fasciculata and reticularis. In the adrenal medulla NPY or C-PON immunoreactivity was associated with ganglion neurons as well as chromaffin cells; these last cells were always VIP (-). VIP and NPY/C-PON IR could be co-localized in catecholaminergic nerve terminals of the adrenal cortex but not in the adrenal medulla.     

Structure and dynamics of adrenal mitochondria following stimulation with corticotropin releasing hormone

The mitochondria of rat adrenals were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in different functional states of the adrenal cortex. Following stimulation of the animals with corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), the corticosterone serum levels reached a maximum 1 hour after stimulation with CRH. The amount of inner mitochondrial membrane within the zona fasciculata increased showing a biphasic time course, with a first maximum 2 hours and a second maximum 8 hours after stimulation. In contrast, a significant rise of mitochondrial volume occurred only 24 hours after CRH stimulation. Therefore, the dense vesicularization of mitochondrial cristae may constitute an early process to enhance the steroidogenic capacity of these cells. Within cells of the transition zone between zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, we could depict a special type of mitochondria with characteristic crescent-like cristae only seen after stimulation with CRH. This type of mitochondria may represent an intermediate form between mitochondria of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata underlining the impressive transformational capacity of adrenocortical mitochondria. After hypophysectomy, zona fasciculata cells contained mitochondria with tubular inner membranes, representing a hypofunctional state. In contrast, the hypofunctional state after hypophysectomy and the hyperfunctional state after stimulation of the adrenal cortex via CRH injection did not appear to correlate with the morphology of mitochondria from the zona reticularis and adrenal medulla.© Willey-Liss, Inc.     

Structure and dynamics of adrenal mitochondria following stimulation with corticotropin releasing hormone.

The mitochondria of rat adrenals were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in different functional states of the adrenal cortex. Following stimulation of the animals with corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), the corticosterone serum levels reached a maximum 1 hour after stimulation with CRH. The amount of inner mitochondrial membrane within the zona fasciculata increased showing a biphasic time course, with a first maximum 2 hours and a second maximum 8 hours after stimulation. In contrast, a significant rise of mitochondrial volume occurred only 24 hours after CRH stimulation. Therefore, the dense vesicularization of mitochondrial cristae may constitute an early process to enhance the steroidogenic capacity of these cells. Within cells of the transition zone between zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, we could depict a special type of mitochondria with characteristic crescent-like cristae only seen after stimulation with CRH. This type of mitochondria may represent an intermediate form between mitochondria of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata underlining the impressive transformational capacity of adrenocortical mitochondria. After hypophysectomy, zona fasciculata cells contained mitochondria with tubular inner membranes, representing a hypofunctional state. In contrast, the hypofunctional state after hypophysectomy and the hyperfunctional state after stimulation of the adrenal cortex via CRH injection did not appear to correlate with the morphology of mitochondria from the zona reticularis and adrenal medulla.     

大鼠肾上腺的NADPH,NPY,CGRP,SP,c—fos细胞化学特性

目的 探讨肾上腺内分泌组织和神经组织的双重组织学特性。方法 组织化学和免疫组织化学技术,在光学显微下观察ＮＡＤＰＨ、ＮＰＹ、ＣＧＲＰ、ＳＰ、ｃ－ｆｏｓ在大鼠肾上腺的分布。结果 肾上腺皮质分布有ＮＰＹ阳性神经细胞和神经纤维、ＣＧＲＰ阳性神经纤维;肾上腺髓质分布有ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ阳性神经细胞和神经纤维、ＣＧＲＰ阳性神经纤维、ＳＰ阳性神经纤维、ｃ－ｆｏｓ阳性神经细胞和神经纤维。肾上腺皮质球状带、网状带、束状带细胞均ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ阳性,髓质部分嗜铬细胞ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ阳性,部分嗜铬细胞ＮＰＹ阳性,部分嗜铬细胞ＣＧＲＰ阳性,部分嗜铬细胞ＳＰ阳性。结论 大鼠肾上腺接受广泛的非经典递质的神经支配,特别是肽能神经支配的肾上腺实质细胞及髓质嗜铬细胞,能分泌多种神经肽物质。提示肾上腺的内分泌活动不仅受到复杂的神经调节而且也受到自身的活     

Immunization of BSVS mice with heterologous and homologous adrenal gland

Mice of the BSVS strain were immunized intracutaneously with bovine and intracutaneously and intraperitoneally with homologous adrenal homogenates in complete Freund's adjuvant. Immunization with bovine adrenal elicited the production of antibodies directed against an adrenal-specific antigen restricted to the bovine species as well as non-organ specific antibodies directed against the bovine species. These organ-specific antibodies directed against the bovine species. These organ-specific antibodies were demonstrated by passive haemagglutination, gel precipitation and immunoelectrophoresis. Antisera against bovine adrenal reacted stronger with antigen extracts prepared from the cortico-medullary junction than with extracts of isolated medulla or outer cortex indicating that the adrenal antigen may be located primarily in the cortical zona reticularis. Immunization with mouse adrenal did not elicit production of antibodies reactive with murine or bovine adrenal, or histological lesions in the adrenal gland.     

Adrenal gland: structure, function, and mechanisms of toxicity

The adrenal gland is one of the most common endocrine organs affected by chemically induced lesions. In the adrenal cortex, lesions are more frequent in the zona fasciculata and reticularis than in the zona glomerulosa. The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones with a 17-carbon nucleus following a series of hydroxylation reactions that occur in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Toxic agents for the adrenal cortex include short-chain aliphatic compounds, lipidosis inducers, amphiphilic compounds, natural and synthetic steroids, and chemicals that affect hydroxylation. Morphologic evaluation of cortical lesions provides insight into the sites of inhibition of steroidogenesis. The adrenal cortex response to injury is varied. Degeneration (vacuolar and granular), necrosis, and hemorrhage are common findings of acute injury. In contrast, chronic reparative processes are typically atrophy, fibrosis, and nodular hyperplasia. Chemically induced proliferative lesions are uncommon in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells (that produce epinephrine, norepinephrine, chromogranin, and neuropeptides) and ganglion cells. Proliferative lesions of the medulla are common in the rat and include diffuse or nodular hyperplasia and benign and malignant pheochromocytoma. Mechanisms of chromaffin cell proliferation in rats include excess growth hormone or prolactin, stimulation of cholinergic nerves, and diet-induced hypercalcemia. There often are species specificity and age dependence in the development of chemically induced adrenal lesions that should be considered when interpreting toxicity data.     

人胎儿肾上腺的组织发生

用光镜、透射电镜观察了４例胚、９０例胎，４例新生儿肾上腺。结果表明，７周胚已可分辨胎儿皮质和永久皮质，１５周时永久皮质开始分化，出生时初级球状带和束状带已形成，网状带未出现；７周时神经嵴细胞开始迁入肾上腺，１３周时髓质形成，嗜铬细胞出现，１６周时交感神经节细胞出现，出生时仍有少量神经嵴细胞向肾上腺内迁移。     

Three-dimensional organization of the collagen fibrillar framework in the rat adrenal gland

The three-dimensional organization of the collagen fibrillar framework in the rat adrenal gland was studied using an alkali-water maceration method and scanning electron microscopy. The structure thus obtained was a continuum of collagen fibril plexuses extending through the adrenal capsule, cortex and medulla. The capsule consisted of finely meshed collagen fibril sheaths and layered, coarsely meshed plexuses of bundles of collagen fibrils. In the cortex, the channels of cortical capillaries were surrounded by thin sheaths of collagen fibrils. Many slender bundles of collagen fibrils extended from these sheaths into intercellular spaces and interconnected adjacent pericapillary sheaths. The collagen fibril sheath tubes precisely reflected the cortical blood vascular architecture; thus the three cortical zones--zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis--were also clearly remarked. In the medulla, collagen fibrils were interwoven into more tightly meshed sheaths around the peripheral radicles and venous tributaries of the central veins. Basket-like collagen fibril sheaths divided the spaces among these tree-like perivascular collagen fibril sheath tubes into round compartments which, in intact tissues, contained chromaffin cell nodules and nervous elements. Small tube-like spaces for housing the medullary capillaries were located in the interstices of contiguous collagen fibril baskets. Besides supporting the organization of the gland, the collagen fibrillar framework in the adrenal gland is believed to play important roles in providing three-dimensionally elaborated extravascular spaces for the diffusion of metabolites and physiological messengers, including hormones.     

Heterogeneous levels of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes in rat adrenal glands

Mitochondria are organelles that produce ATP and reactive oxygen species, which are thought to be responsible for a decline in physiological function with aging. In this study, we morphologically and biochemically examined mitochondria in the rat adrenal gland. Immunohistochemistry showed that the rank order for intensity of immunolabelling for complex IV was zona reticularis > zona fasciculata ? adrenal medulla, whereas for complex V α and β subunits, it was zona fasciculata > zona reticularis and adrenal medulla. The immunolabelling for complex I was homogeneous in the adrenal gland. The difference in immunolabelling between complexes I and IV indicates that the ratio of levels of complex I to that of complex IV in the zona reticularis was smaller than that in the zona fasciculata and the adrenal medulla. Electron microscopy revealed that aging rats had zona reticularis cells with many lysosomes and irregular nuclei. The result suggests that the level of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation is coordinated within the complex, but differs between the complexes. This might be responsible for degeneration of zona reticularis cells with aging.     

The ultrastructural features of secretory cells of some endocrine glands in aging

In the electron microscopic investigation of the secretory cells of adenohypophysis, adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla and pancreatic islets from the adult and old Wistar male rats, certain age-related ultrastructural features have been found. Age changes appeared to be more pronounced in the thyrotrophs, somatotrophs and gonadotrophs of the adenohypophysis and in zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis spongiocytes of the adrenal cortex. They consisted of atrophy of the Golgi apparatus, appearance of the cytoplasmic vacuoles, lipid and lipofuscin granules, secondary lysosomes and damage of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Parallel to these, hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum, formation of giant mitochondria and presence of a great number of secretory cells in the cellular cytoplasm were noted in zona fasciculata spongiocytes and chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, and in beta cells of the pancreatic islets during aging thus evidencing for the adaptive changes in the ultrastructure of these cells. However, no appreciable age changes have been observed in the ultrastructure of the adrenocorticotropic cells of the adenohypophysis.     

Electron microscopic radioautographic studies on DNA synthesis and the ultrastructure of the adrenal gland in aging mice

The changes in DNA synthesis of adrenal gland cells in aging mice from prenatal day 19 to postnatal 2 years were observed by electron microscopic radioautography. The percentages of labeled cells (labeling indices) in the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the cortex and the medulla after³H-thymidine injection were at their maxima during the perinatal stage and then gradually decreased with age. The ultrastructural features of the cells at the late embryonic and early postnatal stages appeared undeveloped. Well-developed cell organelles, such as smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with tubular or vesicular cristae and lipid droplets, were more frequently observed in the cytoplasm of the unlabeled cells than in the labeled cells in the three zones of the cortex. This paper was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Clinical Electron Microscopy Society of Japan, Osaka, October 17–19, 1996.     

Morphological analysis of the adrenal cortex after bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy

In Wistar rats 7 and 45 days after bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex were enlarged and the content of unsaturated phospholipids in their cells was increased. In the medulla the venous sinusoids were greatly dilated. Administration of glucose to the vagotomized animals caused further accumulation of unsaturated phospholipids in the cells of the zona fasciculata but there was no change in the width of the zones. These facts indicate that after vagotomy precursors of steroid hormones accumulate; this is interpreted as a morphological sign of depression of functional activity of the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex.Department of Histology and Embryology, N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR Yu. M. Lopukhin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 9, pp. 1128–1130, September, 1976.     

Fine structure and morphogenesis of spironolactone bodies in the zona glomerulosa of the human adrenal cortex

Numerous spironolactone bodies have been detected in the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex of a 36-year-old spironolactone-treated woman whose non-tumorous right adrenal gland was removed surgically because of primary hyperaldosteronism. Electron microscopy revealed spherical laminated whorls which consisted of a central core composed of an amorphous electron-dense material surrounded by numerous smooth-walled concentric membranes. Continuous with and deriving from the endoplasmic reticulum, they were present in viable cells and were not associated with ultrastructural features indicating cellular injury. Cytoplasmic inclusions similar to spironolactone bodies can be detected in other organs after the administration of various compounds. Thus, they can be regarded as neither specific to spironolactone treatment nor exclusively inducible in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex.     

Neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in adrenal chromaffin cells and intraadrenal nerve fibers of rats

The present peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical study demonstrated that approximately 50% of the total chromaffin cells of the rat adrenal medulla exhibited NPY-like immunoreactivity. The immunoreactive material was localized in the core of the chromaffin granules as well as diffusely in the cytoplasm. By combination of immunohistochemistry with noradrenaline-fluorescence microscopy, all NPY-immunoreactive chromaffin cells are nonfluorescent, indicating that all NPY-chromaffin cells co-store adrenaline. A comparison of two consecutive sections, each of which was processed for the immunostaining with anti-NPY and anti-Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu antisera, respectively, indicated that NPY and preproenkephalin A and its derivatives coexist in approximately one-fifth of the total NPY-immunoreactive cells. In addition to the NPY-immunoreactive cells, a plexus of NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers with varicosities was found in the subcapsular regions of the adrenal gland. The nerve fibers were often associated with small blood vessels and extended into the zona glomerulosa. Single NPY-immunoreactive fibers were sparsely distributed in the deeper regions of the cortex and in the medulla. Ganglion cells in the adrenal gland were not seen exhibiting intensely positive NPY-like immunoreactivity. The NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers contained abundant small clear vesicles mixed with a few small and large granular vesicles. The immunoreactive material appeared on the granular cores as well as in the axoplasm. The NPY fibers were closely apposed to smooth muscle cells and pericytes of small blood vessels in the cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

“Intermediate zone” of mammalian spleens: Light and electron microscopic study of three primitive mammalian species (platypus,shrew, and mole) with special reference to intrasplenic arteriovenous communication

The intermediate zone (IZ) of nonperfused and perfused spleens in three species of primitive mammals (shrew, mole, platypus) was studied morphologically. The IZ is a tissue zone consisting of plexiform vessels, probably venous capillaries, and is located transitionally between the white and red pulp. The IZ is separated from the white pulp by the arterial net (AN), in which the white pulp arteries terminate. Development of the IZ differs between the three species examined being distinctive in the platypus and shrew. The IZ is thin in the mole spleen. A closed type of arteriovenous (A-V) anastomosis was demonstrated in or around the IZ in the two Insectivora species examined. In the shrew spleen, peripheral arterial branches running within the IZ anastomose with the AN around the follicle. The AN anastomoses eventually with venous plexi-form vessels of the IZ around the nonfollicular area of the white pulp to form a closed system. In the mole spleen, A-V anastomoses were noted between white pulp arteries (follicular and AN) and veins of the red pulp, either by direct communication or through fenestrated IZ vessels compatible with the plexiform vessels of the shrew spleen. A-V anastomosis in the IZ is probable, but not confirmed, in the platypus spleen, as analysis was limited to a nonperfused specimen. Well-developed ellipsoids were noted around arterial terminals of the IZ in the shrew spleen. Ellipsoids were also noted around all arterial terminals of the mole spleen directed to the red pulp. Most ellipsoids of the mole spleen appeared located within the IZ. No ellipsoids were present around arterial terminals of the IZ in the platypus spleen. Closed circulation was noted in terminals of the pulp artery in spleens of all three species. All pulp arteries of the mole spleen are postellipsoid segments of white pulp (AN and follicle) arteries. No ellipsoids were found around terminals of the pulp artery (penicillar artery) in shrew and platypus spleens. The IZ is probably homologous to the perilymphatic sinusoid (vein) of the lungfish spleen and may be regarded as part of the red pulp. The IZ may be representative of primitive mammalian spleens that have closed circulation. The marginal zone (MZ) of common mammalian spllens is probably a modified IZ by differentiation (remodelling) of the intrasplenic vein. In this process, with drawal of venous vessels from the IZ occurrred, leaving a lymphoreticular zone with open circulation (MZ). The marginal sinus reported in some mammalian spleens is probably a modified AN formed durig this process. Possible morphological alterations of the spleen in vertebrate phylogeny are discussed.     

Immunoelectron microscopic study of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerve fibers and ganglion cells in the rat adrenal gland.

The present immunocytochemical study used an antiserum to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the first enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of catecholamines, and revealed TH immunoreactivity in the ganglion cells and in the varicose nerve fibers of the cortex and medulla in the rat adrenal gland. TH immunoreactive nerve fibers in the cortex and medulla contained large and small granular vesicles, and also small clear vesicles. The immunoreactive nerve fibers were in close apposition to cortical cells in the cortex and in apposition to smooth muscle cells of blood vessels in both the cortex and medulla. Furthermore, TH immunoreactive nerve fibers were sometimes in close apposition to pericytes of blood vessels in the cortex and chromaffin cells in the medulla. The present results suggest that the catecholaminergic nerve fibers in the rat adrenal gland may be both intrinsic and extrinsic in origin.