SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 267

GROSS MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE PRENATAL

DEVELOPED ADRENAL GLAND IN THE ONE HUMPED CAMEL

(CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS)

Sanaa M. El-Nahla; Imam,H.M.E; Moussa,E.M. and Elsayed, A.K.

Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,

Suez Canal University, Ismailia – EGYPT

ABSTRACT

The current investigation was conducted on 60 camel fetuses of 5-117 cm CVRL of

both sexes collected from both El-Basateen and El-Qureen slaughter houses (Cairo and

El-sharqeua governorates, respectively).The shape, color, weight, location and

dimensions of both right and left adrenal glands were examined Obtained results reveald

that The weight of each gland increased with advancing age of camel fetuses. The left

adrenal weights were more heavier than that of the right ones throughout the stages of the

development. The length of the right adrenal glands were more than that of the left

adrenal in contrary to the breadth and thickness. Both glands were located at the same

level at the early stages of development but with advancing age, the right adrenal was

situated more cranially than the left one.

Key words: Adrenal cortex, Adrenal medulla, morphology, prenatal, development, camel.

INTRODUCTION

The adrenal glands (Glandula supr-

arenalis) are of the most important en-

docrine glands in the body whose shape,

size and exact location vary from one

species to another (Frandson, 1970).

It is a vital endocrine gland in the

body which is divided into the adrenal

medulla and cortex. The adrenal cortex

produces a complex array of steroid hor-

mones (Glucocorticoids, mineralocortic-

oids, as well as, accessory sex hormones),

while the medulla secretes epinephrine and

norepinephrine (Bone, 1982; Vrezas, Will-

enberg and Bornstein, 2004 and Kempna

& Flück, 2008).

The importance of the gland

extends to the prenatal life as the steroid

hormones which are produced by the fetal

adrenal cortex. These hormones promote

the maturation of fetal organ systems, inc-

luding the lung, liver, thyroid and gut, wh-

ich are necessary for extrauterine life

268 Sanaa et al.,

(Liggins, 1976). In some species (Sheep,

Goat and Rabbit), cortisol is produced by

the fetal adrenal for regulation the timing

of parturition (Liggins, Fairclough, Gri-

eves, Kendall and Knox, 1973; Liggins,

1980 and Mesiano & Jaffe, 1997).

Therefore, the objective of this

study was to investigate the prenatal deve-

lopment of the adrenal gland throughout

the whole fetal life of the one–humped

camel. Moreover, to establish a base for

further academic and applied studies in

such valuable and unique animal.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The current study was carried out on 60

camel fetuses with crown vertebral rump

length (CVRL) ranged from 5 to 117 cm.

of both sexes (Table 1). The fetuses were

collected from both El-Basateen (in Cairo)

and El-qureen (in El-sharkia) Slaughter-

houses. The collected fetuses were wei-

ghed (Table 2).The collected fetuses were

examined either freshly ( 20-117 cm

CVRl) or after immersed in 10% Formalin

(5-20 cm CVRL). The fetuses were

dissected ventrally, laterally and coronally.

The shape, color, size, position, relations

and measurments of the adrenal glands

were thoroughly described either by the

naked eyes or magnifying lens then were

imaged using digital camera (8.1 mega

pixel).

The adrenal glands of the pre-

viously dissected fetuses, were gently and

carefully removed and their weight were

recorded using digital balance (Sartorios)

(Table 2). The measurements (length, Bre-

adth and thickness) of the resected glands

were recorded as shown in fig. (1A&B)

using fine threads, ruler and Varnier's scale

caliber and then tabulated (Table 3).

The nomenclatures used in this

study were in accordance to Nomina Anat-

omica Veterinaria (2005) and Nomina

Embryologica Veterinaria (2006) whene-

ver possible.

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 269

Table (1): Showing the number of the collected Camel fetuses with their

corresponding CVRL/ cm.

Fig. 1 (A): Showing the shape of Glandula

suprarenalis dextra and Glandula

suprarenalis sinistra.

Fig. 1 (B):- A diagram illustrated the

dimensions of both Glandula

suprarenalis dextra and Gl-

andula suprarenalis sinis-tra L

(Length) B (Breadth), Th

(Thickness).

Stage

(CVRL/ Cm)

No. of collected

samples

Early stage

5 – 41 cm CVRL 24

MId stage

42 –61 cm CVRL 20

Late stage

62 – 117 cm CVRL 16

Total 60

270 Sanaa et al.,

RESULTS

The adrenal glands (Glandulae ad-

renals) were two retroperitoneal organs

(fig, 2), situated dorsally at the sublumbar

region and covered with fat (fig, 3). They

were related to the cranial poles of the

corresponding kidney at their junction with

the medial border.

The right and left adrenals were

located nearly at the same level at the 2nd

and 3rd

lumbar vertebrae in the early

embryonic life (at 5 cm CVRL) (fig, 4). As

the development progressed, the left

adrenal gland of 10 cm CVRL camel

fetuses was placed under the level of the

transverse process of 3rd

lumbar vertebra

(fig, 5) while the right one became more

cranial below the transverse process of 2nd

lumbar vertebra (fig, 6).

From 18 cm CVRL till the end of

gestation, the right adrenal gland was

located under the transverse process of the

2nd

lumbar vertebra and reached between

2nd

& 3rd

lumbar transverse processes,

while the left one situated below the level

of the transverse process of the 3rd

lumbar

vertebra and extended between the 3rd

and

4th

lumbar vertebra at the end of gestation(

Fig 7).

Glandula adrenalis dexter :

The right adrenal gland had two

surfaces (dorsal and ventral) and three

borders (cranial, lateral and medial). It was

embedded between caudate lobe of liver

and right kidney. The cranial border was

related to the caudate lobe of the liver, the

lateral one was in close to cranial pole of

right kidney while the medial border was

related to caudal vena cava. Fig (11,

12&13).

Glandula adrenalis sinister:

The left adrenal had two surfaces,

the dorsal surface was related to the left

crus of diaphragm and the ventral surface

was related to the jejunum and left lobe of

pancreas. It was related cranially to the

rumen and laterally to the concave border

of the spleen near its dorsal extremity

infront of the cranial pole of the left kidney

and related medially to the abdominal

Aorta. Fig (2,9&14).

The shape of adrenal glands was

difficult to be determined at the early

embryonic stages, as it was very small in

size. It was shown that both glands were

small ovoid in the camel fetuses less than

7cm CVRL. The left adrenal was still

ovoid or nearly circular till the end of

gestation period. The right adrenal was

slightly elongated in the camel fetuses of

12 cm CVRL and then became triangular

with rounded angles at 15 cm CVRL till

the full term fetus. Fig (10).

Both glands were pale rosy red in

color throughout the different stages of

embryonic development and they were

firm in consistency.

The Weight of right and left glands

increased with advancing of CVRL.

During the different developmental

stages (ranged from 5 to 117 cm CVRL),

the weight of the left adrenal (ranged from

0.0011±0.0004 gm to 0.8160±0.04 gm )

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 271

which was more than that of the right one

(ranged from 0.0008±0.0003 to 0.7110±0.02

gm) as showed in table (2).

Increase of the weight of both

adrenals could be divided into two stages

according to its rate as shown in fig. (15).

The first stage from 5-40 cm CVRL camel

fetuses, the weight of the right gland ranged

from (0.0008±0.0003 to 0.0740±0.006 gm)

and the weight of the left one ranged from

(0.0011±0.0004 to 0.0850±0.007gm) by

rate of 0.002 gm/ 1cm CVRL for both

glands. In the second stage from 42 –117

cm CVRL, the right adrenal increased

10.95 times more than the first stage as it

increased from (0.1130±0.06 to 0.7110±0.02

gm) by rate of 0.006 gm / 1cm CVRL and

the left adrenal increased 10.33 times more

than the first stage as increased from

(0.1240±0.005 to 0.8160±0.04gm) by rate

of 0.007 gm/ 1cm CVRL. (Table 2)

The percentage between the weight

of the right & left adrenal glands and the

weight of their fetuses were variable in the

different developmental stages. At 5 cm

CVRL camel fetus, the right adrenal re-

presented 0.004% and the left one

represented 0.005% from the weight of the

fetus. This percentage increased till reach

its maxi-mum at 26 cm CVRL where the

right adrenal represented 0.019% from

weight of fetus while the left represented

0.020%. After that, there was decreasing in

percentage to 0.005% for right adrenal and

0.006% for the left one at 62 cm CVRL

stage, then the percentage of both right and

left adrenals weight to the weight of fetus

ranged from ( 0.005% to 0.007%) till the

end of gestation period ( from 62 – 117 cm

CVRL). Table (2) & fig. (16).

The dimensions of both glands of

embryos less than 15 cm CVRL was very

small to the extent that it couldn't be

measured, but it was shown that the

adrenals at CVRL less than 10 cm had the

size of sesame seed. After 15cm CVRL,

length, breadth and thickness were

measurable in both glands as shown in fig

(1 A&B).

Comparing the two glands in

different stages of deve-lopment (15 to 117

cm CVRL camel fet-uses), it was shown

that the length of the right one (ranged

from 0.26±0.01 to 2.11±0.4 cm) was

markedly more than that of the left one

(ranged from 0.22±0.01 to 1.72±0.4 cm),

in contrast to the breadth which was

slightly more in left adrenal (ranged from

0.17±0.02 to 1.32±0.3 cm) than right one

(ranged from 0.17±0.02 to 1.28±0.4 cm).

The thickness also was sli-ghtly increased

in the left adrenal (ranged from 0.13±0.01

to 0.87±0.2 cm) than that of the right one

(ranged from 0.12±0.03 to 0.75±0.2 cm).

as in Table (3) and Fig. (17, 18 &19).

On cross section, each gland con-

sisted of two parts, cortex and medulla.

The outer smaller cortex was reddish bro-

wn in color and occupied about 1/5 of the

adrenal gland. The inner larger medulla

was dark brown in color and occupied

about 4/5 of the gland. Fig (20).

272 Sanaa et al.,

Table (2) :Showing the mean weight of both right and left adrenal glands with its

percentage to the corresponding camel fetuses weight. ± SD.

CV

RL

/cm

weight

of fetus/ gm

weight of

right

adrenal/gm

weight of

left

adrenal/gm

Ratio of

right adrenal

weight

to fetus weight

Ratio of left

adrenal weight to

fetus weight

5 22.17±2.7 0.0008±0.000

3 0.0011±0.0004 0.004 0.005

7.5 44.31±2.5 0.0027±0.000

4 0.0032±0.0003 0.006 0.007

9.5 62.50±2.3 0.0045±0.000

6 0.0074±0.0005 0.007 0.012

11.5 70.00±2.1 0.0083±0.000

4 0.0088±0.0006 0.012 0.013

13 78.00±1.9 0.0098±0.000

5 0.0105±0.0007 0.013 0.013

15 98.00±1.7 0.0109±0.001 0.0120±0.003 0.011 0.012

16 128.5±2.5 0.0110±0.001 0.0130±0.002 0.009 0.010

18 140.00±3.9 0.0140±0.003 0.0160±0.004 0.010 0.011

19 160.00±2.3 0.0169±0.006 0.0175±0.007 0.011 0.011

22 190.00±1.9 0.0321±0.007 0.0342±0.008 0.017 0.018

26 200.00±2.5 0.0384±0.001 0.039±0.003 0.019 0.020

27 290.00±2.5 0.0433±0.003 0.0467±0.004 0.015 0.016

30 380.00±2.6 0.0485±0.006 0.0493±0.007 0.013 0.013

31 470.00±3.9 0.0498±0.007 0.0510±0.006 0.011 0.011

33 560.00±5 0.0530±0.004 0.0640±0.005 0.009 0.011

40 986.00±4 0.0740±0.006 0.0850±0.007 0.010 0.011

42 1050.00±5.5 0.1130±0.06 0.1240±0.005 0.011 0.012

43 1400.00±9.4 0.1200±0.08 0.1270±0.006 0.009 0.009

44 1550.00±10 0.1240±0.05 0.1310±0.004 0.008 0.008

46 1700.00±11 0.1290±0.04 0.1340±0.008 0.008 0.008

50 2000.00±9 0.1320±0.07 0.1380±0.007 0.007 0.007

51 2150.00±12 0.1430±0.08 0.1440±0.02 0.007 0.007

53 2500.00±8 0.1490±0.07 0.1560±0.03 0.006 0.006

55 2750.00±15 0.1660±0.05 0.1730±0.05 0.006 0.006

56.5 3100.00±17 0.1760±0.04 0.1820±0.02 0.006 0.006

62 3850.00±11 0.1930±0.04 0.2240±0.04 0.005 0.006

67 4900.00±13 0.2230±0.02 0.2410±0.02 0.005 0.005

71 5300.00±15 0.2460±0.03 0.2520±0.03 0.005 0.005

72 5750.00±10 0.3010±0.04 0.3040±0.04 0.005 0.005

78 6200.00±11 0.3890±0.02 0.4110±0.03 0.006 0.007

80 6850.00±12 0.4250±0.02 0.4430±0.02 0.006 0.006

82 7150.00±12 0.4460±0.01 0.4680±0.02 0.006 0.007

84 7450.00±13 0.4650±0.02 0.4960±0.01 0.006 0.007

92 9350.00±11 0.5120±0.01 0.5620±0.03 0.005 0.006

104 12250.00±15 0.5870±0.03 0.6210±0.02 0.005 0.005

117 16500.00±17 0.7110±0.02 0.8160±0.04 0.005 0.005

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

Formatted ...

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 273

Table (3): Showing the mean values (± SD) of Length (L), Breadth (B) and

Thickness (Th)/cm of both right and left adrenals of the collected camel

fetuses.

CVRL/

cm

Right Left

L. B. Th. L. B. Th.

15 0.26±0.01 0.17±0.02 0.12±0.03 0.22±0.01 0.17±0.02 0.13±0.01

16 0.32±0.02 0.21±0.02 0.13±0.02 0.29±0.02 0.22±0.03 0.14±0.01

18 0.44±0.02 0.23±0.03 0.16±0.02 0.36±0.02 0.25±0.02 0.17±0.01

22 0.53±0.02 0.28±0.02 0.18±0.02 0.4±0.03 0.31±0.01 0.19±0.02

26 0.55±0.03 0.31±0.02 0.21±0.03 0.43±0.02 0.34±0.01 0.23±0.01

27 0.58±0.03 0.36±0.03 0.23±0.01 0.46±0.01 0.38±0.02 0.25±0.03

30 0.61±0.02 0.43±0.04 0.31±0.02 0.53±0.02 0.46±0.01 0.31±0.02

31 0.63±0.02 0.44±0.01 0.32±0.02 0.57±0.02 0.47±0.03 0.33±0.02

33 0.64±0.02 0.46±0.03 0.34±0.01 0.61±0.03 0.48±0.03 0.35±0.03

40 0.81±0.04 0.48±0.02 0.36±0.02 0.69±0.03 0.49±0.03 0.37±0.01

42 0.86±0.01 0.48±0.02 0.38±0.03 0.72±0.04 0.51±0.02 0.39±0.03

43 0.92±0.02 0.51±0.01 0.41±0.03 0.81±0.03 0.53±0.01 0.41±0.04

44 0.95±0.03 0.51±0.03 0.42±0.02 0.87±0.02 0.55±0.02 0.43±0.02

46 0.97±0.02 0.53±0.02 0.44±0.01 0.89±0.02 0.57±0.02 0.46±0.03

50 1.11±0.3 0.62±0.4 0.46±0.3 0.91±0.3 0.65±0.2 0.48±0.1

51 1.11±0.4 0.63±0.3 0.47±0.3 0.93±0.2 0.67±0.3 0.48±0.1

52 1.13±0.5 0.65±0.4 0.48±0.2 0.95±0.2 0.68±0.1 0.49±0.1

55 1.15±0.3 0.69±0.3 0.51±0.2 0.98±0.1 0.71±0.3 0.52±0.2

56.5 1.18±0.3 0.71±0.3 0.52±0.3 1.11±0.3 0.72±0.3 0.53±0.2

62 1.21±0.2 0.72±0.2 0.53±0.5 1.13±0.4 0.73±0.4 0.56±0.1

67 1.28±0.5 0.81±0.3 0.55±0.4 1.15±0.3 0.81±0.3 0.59±0.1

71 1.31±0.4 0.83±0.4 0.57±0.4 1.19±0.4 0.85±0.3 0.61±0.2

72 1.32±0.3 0.84±0.5 0.57±0.3 1.21±0.4 0.86±0.2 0.62±0.2

78 1.35±0.2 0.89±0.3 0.59±0.3 1.25±0.5 0.91±0.3 0.65±0.1

80 1.37±0.1 0.93±0.2 0.61±0.2 1.28±0.2 0.95±0.4 0.67±0.2

82 1.41±0.3 0.95±0.2 0.62±0.2 1.29±0.3 0.97±0.3 0.69±0.3

84 1.46±0.4 0.94±0.3 0.63±0.4 1.31±0.3 0.99±0.3 0.71±0.2

92 1.52±0.3 0.98±0.3 0.67±0.4 1.37±0.4 1.11±0.4 0.76±0.1

104 1.66±0.3 1.18±0.1 0.71±0.3 1.42±0.3 1.25±0.4 0.81±0.1

117 2.11±0.4 1.28±0.4 0.75±0.2 1.72±0.4 1.32±0.3 0.87±0.2

274 Sanaa et al.,

(2) (3)

Fig. (2): A photograph of the abdominal contents after removal of the left lateral abdominal wall of 28 cm

CVRL camel fetus showing that :-

Glandula suprarenalis sinestra with the corresponding kidney located retroperitoneal (arrow head).

1 - Ren sinister 4 – Costa ΧΙΙ

2 - Lien 5 - Intestinum tenue

3 - Rumen

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ)

- Black arrow (Glandula suprarenlais sinistra).

Fig. (3):-A photograph of the abdominal contents after removal of the left lateral abdominal wall of 60 cm

CVRL camel fetus showing:-

Glandula suprarenalis sinestra (arrow) surrounded by fat (arrow head).

1 - Ren sinister 4 – Costa ΧΙΙ

2 - Lien 5 - Intestinum tenue

3 - Rumen

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ)).

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 275

(4) (5)

Fig. (4):- A photograph showing the topographical relations of Glandula suprarenalis dextra and Glandula

suprarenalis sinistra in 5 cm CVRL camel fetus showing :-

1- Ren dexter.

2- Ren sinister.

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

- Arrow head (Glandula suprarenalis sinistra)

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus of ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ)).

Fig. (5):- A photograph showing the topographical relations of Glandula suprarenalis sinistra in 10 cm

CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1- Ren sinister

2- Ren dexter

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis sinistra).

276 Sanaa et al.,

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ)).

(6) (7)

Fig. (6):- A photograph showing the topographical relations of Glandula suprarenalis dextra in 10 cm CVRL

camel fetus showing:-

1- Ren dexter

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ)).

Fig. (7):- A photograph showing the topographical relations of Glandula suprarenalis dextra and Glandula

suprarenalis sinistra in 90 cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1 - Ren dexter.

2 - Ren sinister.

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus of ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ).

- Arrow head (Glandula suprarenalis sinistra).

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

(N.B. The rumen and intestine were eviscerated)

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 277

(8) (9)

Fig. (8):- A photograph of the abdominal cavity (ventral aspect) of 50 cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1 - Ren dexter. 5 - Rumen

2 - Ren sinister. 6 - Ureter dexter and sinester

3 - Hepar. 7- Pancreas.

4 - Lien A - Aorta Abdominalis

C - Vena cava caudalis.

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

- Arrow head (Glandula suprarenalis sinistra).

- star (Lien extremitas dosalis).

Fig. (9):-A photograph of the abdominal contents (Dorsal view) of 15 cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1 - Ren dexter. 4 - Lien.

2 - Ren sinister. 5 - Rumen.

3 - Hepar. A - Aorta abdominalis.

C - Vena cava caudalis.

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra) - Arrow head (Glandula suprarenalis sinestra).

278 Sanaa et al.,

(10) (11)

Fig. (10):- A photograph of the abdominal contents after removal of the right lateral abdominal wall of 80

cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1 - Ren dexter.

2 - Hepar.

3 – Costa ΧΙΙ.

4 - Intestinum tenue.

- T1, T2 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ ).

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

Fig. (11):- A photograph of showing the topographic relationship of Glandula suprarenalis dextra in 90 cm

CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1- Ren dexter.

2 - Hepar.

C - Vena cava cadalis.

- T1,T2 (Processus transversus ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, et ΙΙ).

- Arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra).

(N.B. The rumen and intestine were eviscerated).

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 279

(12) (13)

(12) (13)

Fig. (12):- A photograph of the abdominal contents after removal of the right lateral abdominal wall of 42

cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

arrow (Glandula suprarenalis dextra)

1 - Ren dexter

2 - Lobus caudatus hepatis.

Fig. (13):- A photograph of the abdominal contents after removal of the left lateral abdominal wall of 90

cm CVRL camel fetus showing:-

1- Ren sinister.

2- Lien.

3 - Rumen.

4 - last rib.

5 - Intestinum tenue.

- T1, T2, T3 (Processus transversus of ad Vertebrae lumbales Ι, ΙΙ et ΙΙΙ). - white arrow head (Glandula

suprarenalis sinistra).

280 Sanaa et al.,

Fig. (14):- A par graph showing the relation between the weight/gm of both right and left adrenal

glands with its corresponding CVRL/cm of camel fetuses.

Fig. (15) : A Histogram showing the percent pf both right adrenal glands weight to the total fetal

weight in different stages corresponding to CVRL/cm of camel fetuses.

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

5 9 13.5 16 19 22 27 31 40 43 45 51 55 62 71 78 82 92 117

CVRL/Cm

weig

ht

of

rig

ht

an

d left

ad

ren

al g

lan

ds/ g

m

Right Left

percentage of adrenal gland weight to the weight of the fetus

0.000%

0.005%

0.010%

0.015%

0.020%

0.025%

5 9.5 13 16 19 22 27 31 40 43 46 51 55 62 71 78 82 92 117

CVRL

pe

rce

nt

right left

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 281

(16) (17)

Fig. (16):- A par graph Showing the relation between length/cm of both glands in different developmental

stage corresponding to CVRL/cm of camel fetuses.

Fig. (17):- A par graph Showing the relation between Breadth/cm of both glands in different developmental

stage corresponding to CVRL/cm of camel fetuses.

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Length of

right and left

adrenals

15 22 30 42 45 52 62 72 82 104

CVRL/ Cm

L.R.

L.L.

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

Breadth of

right and left

adrenal glands

15 22 30 42 45 52 62 72 82 104

CVRL/ Cm

B.R

B.L.

282 Sanaa et al.,

(18) (19)

Fig. (18):- A par graph Showing the relation between thickness/cm of both glands in different

developmental stage corresponding to CVRL/cm of camel fetuses.

Fig (19):- A photograph of cross section of Glandula suprarenalis at 65 cm CVRL showing an outer thin

cortex (C) and inner thick medulla (M).

DISCUSSION

According to the available literat-

ures, there was no adequate information on

the shape, color and localization of adrenal

gland during the prenatal life in domestic

animals. Therefore, the findings of the

current study was discussed by comparing

these items with that of some adult

domestic animals.

The shape of adrenal glands was

difficult to be determined at the early

embryonic stages as it was very small in

size. It was shown that both glands were

small ovoid in the camel fetuses, less than

7cm CVRL. The left adrenal was still

ovoid or nearly spheroid till the end of

gestation period. The right adrenal was

slightly elongated in the camel fetuses of

12 cm CVRL and then became triangular

with rounded angles at 15 cm CVRL till

the full term fetus. In this respect, Dursun

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Thickness of

right and left

adrenal

glands

15 22 30 42 45 52 62 72 82 104

CVRL

Th.R.

Th.L.

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 283

(1999) mentioned that the shape of the

adrenal gland varies with species and it

was mostly oblate oval or triangular. He

added that, in ruminants the right and left

adrenal glands somewhat resemble the

letters V and C, respectively, whereas in

horses, the right adrenal gland was similar

to a flat and irregular letter J or Comma,

and the left adrenal gland was a tongue-

like shape. In pig, the adrenal glands were

either long and cylindrical or some what

oval or triangular (Eustachius, 1563). In

ferrets, the left adrenal gland was oval and

the right adrenal gland was longer than the

left one (Holmes, 1961). In rabbit, the right

adrenal gland is long and resembled a large

grain of rice, and the left adrenal gland was

either oval or almost circular (Dursun et

al., 2001). In man the right adrenal gland

resembled a three- sided pyramid, and the

left one had a lunate shape (Arinci, and

Elhan, 1995).

In camel fetuses, both glands were

pale rosy red in color throughout the

different stages of embryonic development

and they were firm in consistency.

The topographical relations of the

right and left adrenal glands of camel fet-

uses were differenent, the right adrenal

gland was fitted in the renal impression of

Lobus caudatus hepatis adhering to the

medial border of the right kidney. It was

related medially to the caudal vena cava,

while the left adrenal gland was lodged

between the concave border of the spleen,

rumen and the medial border of the left

kidney. In this connection, the cranial

aspect of the ven-tral surface of each

adrenal gland was covered by the

peritoneum in adult donkey, but the

remainder parts were surrounded by

adipose tissue and loose connective tissue,

and the caudal aspect was embedded in

perirenal adipose tissue (Karakurum et al.,

2008).

In our work, the position of the two

adrenals was in the same level under the

space between the transverse processes of

the 2nd

and 3rd

lumbar vertebrae and exte-

nded to the level of the 3rd

one. Then, by

progressing of the development, the posi-

tion of both glands differed, whereas the

right one became more craniad than the

left gland due to the different growth rates

of the surrounding organs.

Regarding the weight of the adrenal

gland in the present study, it increased

slowly by rate of 0.002 gm/ cm CVRL in

both glands from 5-40 cm CVRL, then the

rate of increasing became 0.007 gm and

0.006 gm/cm CVRL for the left and right

glands, respectively at the second stage

from 42 cm CVRL till the full term fetu-

ses. In human ( Neville and O'Hare, 1982)

and in Rhesus monkey (Wilbur et al,1981)

showed that the gland increased linearly

during the second half of gestation, while

in the fetal sheep and pig, the weight of the

gland increased abruptly near the term

(Coline & Silver,1961 and Lohse & first,

1981), Also, Alexander et al., (1968) obs-

erved rapid rise in weight of the glands in

284 Sanaa et al.,

ovine fetus during the last week of

gestation. Yamauchi (1979) recorded that

the foal fetal adrenal gland began to

increase in weight from about the end of

4th

month of pregnancy when fetus had

CRL of about 20 cm. On the same point,

the weight of the right and left adrenals in

camel fetuses at 117 cm CVRL were

0.811±0.02 and 0.816± 0.04 respectively,

while in the fetal lamb, Boshier et al.,

(1980) observed that the gland weight was

doubled in the period from 136 days of

pregnancy till birth (0.45-0.80 gm). In this

respect, Durand et al., (1978) recorded

that in the second growth period just

before birth, the weight of the adrenal was

doubled and reached 300 mg. On the other

hand, fetal rat adrenal growth rate decr-

eased as the term approach (Cohen, 1963).

The size of the adrenal glands in

the camel fetuses increased steadily throu-

ghout the developmental stages, while in

fetal lamb there was increasing of the gla-

nd size from 136 to 147 days (Boshier et

al., 1980). Also, the ovine adrenal size

showed a rapid increase through two gro-

wth phases, the first phase of gradual onset

from 123 to 137 days and the second phase

from 143 days to term as recorded by

Durand et al., (1978). In camel fetuses, the

size of the gland increased due to the

differentiation of the cortical zones and

hyperplasia of the zona fasciculata, as well

as, the highly proliferation of the adrenal

medulla. Yamauchi (1979) restricted his

observations on the thickness of the med-

ulla in the fetal horse. In the same point,

Boshier et al., (1980) mentioned that the

increase of size of the ovine gland resulted

from differential growth of the inner

cortical zone, for neither zona glomerulosa

nor medulla. Also Durand et al., (1978)

accounted that the increase in the ovine

adrenal size in the second growth phase

was mainly due to the cellular

hypertrophy.

Eustachius (1563) observed the

color of the adult adrenal cortex as it was

flesh colored, cream or light yellow depen-

ding upon its lipid contents. He added that,

in horse, dog, cat and chicken, the adrenal

cortex was cream or light yellow in color

because of high lipid content, while in

ruminant and swine, the adrenals were

flesh colored because of a poor lipid con-

tent, as well as the camel fetuses, it appea-

red reddish brown. He added that the color

of the medulla in adult adrenals was redd-

ish brown because of the presence of abu-

ndance of blood in the medullary veins.

These observations were in a line with our

findings in the camel fetuses.

REFERENCES

Alexander, D.P; Britton, H.G; James,

V.H; Nixon, D.A; Parker, R.A; Wintour, E.M. and Wright, R.D. (1968):Steroid

secretion by the adrenal gland of foetal and

neonatal sheep.Endocrinology, 40 (1): 1-13.

Arinci, K., Elhan, A. (1995): Anatomi –

1. Cilt. Güneş Yayınevi, Ankara; 445-448.

SCVMJ, IVX (1) 2009 285

Bone, J.F. (1982):Animal anatomy and

physiology. 2nd

Ed. Pp. 325-326. Reston

publishing company,Inc.Reston.Vinzinia.

Boshier, D.P. and Holloway, H. (1989): Morphometric analyses of adrenal gland

growth in fetal and neonatal sheep. I. The

adrenal cortex. J.Anat, 167: 1-14.

Cohen, A. (1963): Corrélations entre l'hy-

pophyse et le cortex surrénal chez le foetus

de rat. Le cortex surrénal du nouveau-né.

Archives d'anatomie microscoique et de

morphologie expérimentale, 52: 277-407.

Comline, R.S. and Silver, M. (1961): The

release of adrenaline and nor adrenaline

from the adrenal gland of the foetal sheep.

J. physiol, 156: 424 – 444.

Durand, P.H.; Bosc, M. and Nicolle, A. (1978): roissance des surrenales de foetus

ovin en fin de gestation: evolution de

1’AND et des proteines membranaires.

CR Acad Sci Paris, 287: 297-300.

Dursun, N (1999): Veteriner Anatomi II.

Medisan Yayınevi, Ankara. 184-185.

Dursun, N., Bozkurt, E.U. Ozgel, O. (2001): The suprarenal glands and their arterial va-

scularization in New Zealand rabbit (Oryc-

tolagus cuniculus L.). Ankara ـniv. Vet.

Fak. Derg.; 48: 21-25. (article in Turkish

with an abstract in English).

Eustachius, B. (1563): Opuscula Anato-

mica. Libellus de Renibus venet.

Frandson, R.D. (1970): Anatomy and ph-

ysiology of the farm animals. 5th

Ed. Pp.

426-430. Lea& Febiger.philadelphia.

Holmes, R.L. (1961): The adrenal glands

of the ferret, (Mustela putorius). J. Anat.;

95: 325-336.

Karakurum, E. Dursun, Z. N (2008): Morphology and Arterial Vasculature of

Donkey (Equus asinus L.) Adrenal Gland.

Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci.

Kempna, P. and Flück, C.E. (2008): Best

Practice & Research Clinical Endocrin-

ology & Metabolism. Vol. 22, No. 1, pp.

77–93.

Liggins, G.C. (1976): Adrenocortical-rela-

ted maturational events in the fetus. Am J

Obstet Gynecol, (126):931–941

Liggins, G.C. (1980): Endocrinology of

parturition. In: Novy MJ, Resko JA (eds)

Fetal Endocrinology. Academic Press,

Inc., New York, Pp 211–237.

Liggins, G.C.; Fairclough, R.J; Grieves,

S.A; Kendall, J.Z and Knox, B.S. (1973): The mechanism of initiation of parturition

in the ewe. Recent Prog Horm Res, (29):111–

159.

Lohse, J.K. and First, N.L. (1981): Deve-

286 Sanaa et al.,

lopment of the procine fetal adrenal in late

gestation. Biol Reprod, 251 (1): 181 – 190.

Mesiano, S. and Jaffe, R.B. (1997): De-

velopmental and Functional Biology of the

Primate Fetal Adrenal Cortex. Endocrine

Reviews, 18: 378–403.

Neville, A.M. and O'Hare, M.J. (1982): The human adrenal cortex. Berlin:springer-

verlag.

Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (2005): 5

th Ed. Prepared by the international com-

mittee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical

Nomenclature (I.C.V.G.A.N.) and publi-

shed by Editorial Committee. Hannover,

Columbia, Gent and sapporo.

Nomina Embryologica Veterinaria (2006):

2nd

Ed. Prepared by the international com-

mittee on Veterinary Embryological Nom-

enclature (I.C.V.E.N.) and published in

Ghent (Belgium)

Vrezas,I; Willenberg,H.S. and Born-stein, S.R. (2004): Adrenal cortex, Ana-

tomy. Encyclopedia of Endocrine diseases,

volume 1. University of Düsseldorf, Ger-

many.

Wilbur, P.; Miles, J. and Scott, W. (1981): Fetal and Postnatal Development

of the Adrenal Glandsin Macaca mulatta.

Biology of reproduction, (25): 1079-1089

Yamauchi, S. (1979): Histological deve-

lopment of the equine fetal adrenal gland. J

Reprod Fertil Suppl, (27):487-91.

العربي الملخص

وحيد السنام قبل الوالدة في الجمل( فوق الكلوية)دراسات ظاهرية على تطور الغدة الكظرية

، احمد كامل السيد ، عيد على موسى ، هشام محمد إمام ثناء مختار النحلة جامعة قناة السويس – الطــــــب البيطـــرى كلية -ح واالجنة قسم التشري

سم وتم الحصول عليهم 111الى 5جنينا من أجنة الجمال يتراوح اطوالها بين 06تم اجراء هذه الدراسة على عدد

.من مجزر البساتين بالقاهرة ومجزر القرين بالشرقيةسىم 06يزيد بزيادة العمر ولكنة في المراحل األولية حتىى طىول أوضحت الدراسة الظاهرية أن وزن الغدة الكظرية

واتضىح أيضىا أن وزن الغىدة اليسىرى أكبىر مىن . سىم تكىون الزيىادة ملحوظىة 111-01تكون الزيادة طفيفة بينما من سىرى اليمنى فى جميع مراحل العمر المختلفة أما بالنسبة للطول فقد اتضىح أن طىول الغىدة اليمنىى اكبىر مىن الغىدة الي

.اليسرى أكثر سمكا وعرضا من اليمنى عكس فان الغدةالوعلى .لنخاعا –القشرة -الغدة الكظرية: لكلمات المرشدة