Histological and Transmission Electron Microscopic Investigation of Adrenal Gland of Iraqi Local Squirrel (Sciurus anomalous)

Aug 29, 2026

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The adrenal gland is a key endocrine organ producing hormones that regulate nervous system functions, metabolism, ion balance, and reproduction. This study investigated histological components and structures of the adrenal glands in Iraqi wild squirrel using electronic microscopy along with routine and special stains. Twelve healthy animals were examined under veterinary animal ethics regulations. Results showed two main layers, medulla and cortex, with the cortex containing zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages10

Reading Time25 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Ethical approval and samples of tissue

Histology of tissue

Histological, and Transmission Electron Microscopic Investigation of Adrenal Gland of Iraqi Local Squirrel (Sciurus anomalous) Asseel Yassin Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq [Correspondence Author: Asseel Yassin](Correspondence Author: Asseel Yassin asseel.yassin@qu.edu.iq)[ ](Correspondence Author: Asseel Yassin asseel.yassin@qu.edu.iq)[asseel.yassin@qu.edu.iq](Correspondence Author: Asseel Yassin asseel.yassin@qu.edu.iq) Abstract The adrenal gland is one the main endocrine gland, which is responsible for producing important hormones in relation to regulating functions of the nervous system, metabolism and balance of ions, and reproduction of the animals. The present study was designed to identify histological contents and structures of adrenal glands in the Iraqi wild squirrel. Electronic microscopic, routine and special stains were used to recognize the main cells and major histological structures. Twelfth healthy animals were dissected for this study following the animal ethics regulations of the college of veterinary, university of Al-Qadisiyah. The histological study identified that the adrenal gland has two main layers’ the medulla and cortex, also, the cortex has three layers including zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Cells of the cortex and medulla of the gland were negative with PAS stain, but Alcian blue was positive with cortex cells and negative with medulla. The features and distributions of cells of the cortex were in the zona glomerulosa was paved together cells and constituted a thin layer under the capsule, and zona fasciculata was extended as pillars in shape and a thicker layer of the cortex and zona reticularis, also medulla cells were clusters cells in shape and found in the centre of gland surrounded the central vein. Electronic transmission study was focused on the contents of cells, as a result, large secretory granules were detected as dark in colour and were very large amounts in zona glomerulosa, and zona reticularis, and a limited amount in zona fasciculata. Also, the medulla displayed many dense small secretory granules in the cytoplasm and limited moderately secretory granules. The cells of the layers’ cortex and medulla revealed that the nucleus was polyhedral in shape, but cells of zona fasciculata was single or diploid nuclei. Our finding concluded that special and routine stains clarified many structures of the adrenal gland, but electron transmission microscopic was the better technique to distinguish different types of granules in the adrenal gland of the squirrel. Keywords: Adrenal gland, zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis, and Secretory. Introduction Adrenal glands or suprarenal glands arepaired endocrine glands located at the cranial poles of the left and right kidneys, it has triangular-shaped glands (1, 2) . Adrenal glands are very important glands and produce different hormones that regulate essential functions of the body such as the balance of ions, immune system, nervous system, metabolism of carbohydrates, immune system, blood pressure and reproduction (3-5) . The adrenal glands are embedded with adipose tissue of kidneys and received blood supply from the superior suprarenal artery, a branch of the inferior phrenic artery, the middle suprarenal artery, a direct branch of the abdominal aorta, the inferior suprarenal artery, and a branch of the renal artery (6, 7), while veins supply is by the right suprarenal vein drains into the inferior vena cava, whereas, the left suprarenal vein drains into the left renal vein or the left inferior phrenic vein (8, 9) . The medullary veins were distributed in the medulla region and constituted the central vein in the middle of the medulla (10-12) . Histologically, the adrenal gland has two layers cortex and medulla(13), cortex consists of three layers, zona glomerulosa, zona fasci

FAQs

What was the goal of the study on the Iraqi squirrel adrenal gland?

The study aimed to identify histological and histochemical structures of the adrenal gland and detect particular secretory granules in different adrenal regions to improve understanding of gland function.

What layers and zones were observed in the adrenal gland?

The adrenal gland showed two main layers: medulla and cortex. The cortex was further divided into three zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis.

How did PAS and Alcian blue staining differ between cortex and medulla?

PAS staining was negative in both cortex and medulla cells, while Alcian blue was positive in cortex cells and negative in medulla cells.

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher