Abstract

STRUCTURAL CHANGES OF THE ADRENAL GLAND DURING VARIOUS STAGES OF THE POST NATAL DEVELOPMENT OF A WILD RODENT SPECIES, THE WILD RAT, RATTUS SIKKIMENSIS

Debiprosad Chattopadhyay and Chanchal Kumar Manna*

ABSTRACT

The adrenal gland is of critical importance for a plethora of biological processes. In the present investigation the structural changes of the adrenal gland in the wild rat, Rattus sikkimensis comprising the postnatal age groups ranging from 0 to 60 days were studied. Wild rats were trapped with the help of Tribal people from the nearby fields using suitable traps. After trapping the pregnant females were kept separately in the rearing cages and reared in the uniform laboratory conditions. Sufficient food and water were provided to the animals. Within a day or two these pregnant females gave birth to the new born babies. Necessary precautions were taken to rear the newborn babies in the laboratory conditions. Animals were autopsied in separate dates (1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 60 days). Adrenal gland samples of at least 6 animals of each group were taken for the histological study. The weight of the animals and adrenal glands were demonstrated a linear growth with time. The adrenal medulla was not concentrated initially but gradually became concentrated within the central core position of the adrenal gland. By the day 14th the medulla was formed completely. The corticomedullary ratio was decreased gradually from the 14th day onwards.

Keywords: Post natal development, Tribal people, Cortico-medullary, Trapped, Pregnant female.