Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope Study of the Adrenal Gland of the Camel (Camelus dromedarius) During the Prenatal Life

The objectives of the present study are to investigate the features of camel foetal adrenal gland using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. This study was conducted in 14 dromedary camel foeti at different stages of development collected from different slaughters houses in sudan

With scanning electron microscope, at the early stages the adrenal zones were not be differentiated Cleary, then the cells of the zona glomerulosa were arranged in compact clusters or groups and capillaries network were arranged between these groups. The cells of the zona fasiculata were arranged in the form of laminae or vertical parallel cords separated by longitudinally arranged sinusoids. The cells of the foetal zone were irregullary arranged. Some medullary islets were found between the cortical cells and some of the cortical cells were found between the cells of the medulla. The innervations and the blood supply of the adrenal gland increased with development. Ultrastructurally the noradrenalin secreting cells have more electron dense cytoplasmic granules than the adrenalin secreting zzcells. With advancing age, the cell organelles like mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the lipid droplets increased.

In conclusion, the major changes observed in the cells of the zona fasiculata and this may be due to its important role in the development of organs and during parturition. It was found that the prenatal development of the dromedary camel adrenal gland was similar to the development other animal adrenal gland but with special characteristic of it's on.