HISTOLOGICAL, CYTOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE REGENERATION OF THE RAT’S ADRENAL GLAND FOLLOWING ENUCLEATION1

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Abstract
Following enucleation of both adrenal glands in the adult rat, proliferation of the residual cortical tissue (glomerulosal cells) restores a normal-appearing cortex within a mo. The regenerated cortex possesses the usual zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. No evidence has been found for the conversion of capsular fibroblasts to cortical cells. Within 8 days after the operation, ascorbic acid and droplets giving the reactions characteristic of steroid-producing glands reappear in the immediate subcapsular cells and eventually come to occupy all of the cells of the cortex. One mo. after enucleation of their adrenals, rats respond in the normal fashion to a prolonged fast, i.e., the blood-sugar level declines temporarily, then returns to 100 mg. % within 5 days. Adrenalectomized rats succumb within 4 days in hypoglycemic coma. The daily admn. of desoxycorticosterone acetate over a period of a mo. causes a suppression of secretory activity in the zona glomerulosa of the regenerated gland. The regenerated cortex apparently secretes hormones governing both salt and sugar metabolism, and the normal functional zonation is restored.