Cellular modification of interrenal tissue induced by corticoid therapy and stress in three avian species

Abstract

Corticotropic regulation of the interrenal tissue was explored in three avian species (quail, parakeet and myna) by application of dexamethasone therapy and stress. In response to corticoid administration, atrophy of all cortical layers from periphery to center was pronounced and no regional differences could be detected by histology and histometric analysis. Following exposure to acute formalin stress at the termination of chronic corticoid therapy, the interrenal tissue regularly responded by hypertrophy in all three types of birds. The absence of zonation in experimental atrophy in these species merits consideration in view of the zonal response observed in other avian species. The prompt response of the atrophic interrenal gland to stress indicates that the hypothalamo-hypophyseal regulation of the interrenal gland is qualitatively different from mammals.