Cited by 83Adrenal Hormones and DisordersHormonal Regulation and HypertensionAdrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors

Development of the human adrenal zona reticularis: morphometric and immunohistochemical studies from birth to adolescence

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Hui, Xiao-Gang, Akahira, Jun-ichi, Suzuki, Takashi, Nio, Masaki, Nakamura, Yasuhiro, Suzuki, Hiroyoshi, Rainey, William E, Sasano, Hironobu·2009·Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

Age-related morphologic development of human adrenal zona reticularis (ZR) has not been well examined. Therefore, in this study, 44 human young adrenal autopsy specimens retrieved from large archival files ( n =252) were examined for immunohistochemical and morphometric analyses. Results demonstrated that ZR became discernible around 4 years of age, and both thickness and ratio per total cortex of ZR increased in an age-dependent fashion thereafter, although there was no significant increment in total thickness of developing adrenal cortex. We further evaluated immunoreactivity of both KI67 and BCL2 in order to clarify the equilibrium between cell proliferation and apoptosis in the homeostasis of developing human adrenals. Results demonstrated that proliferative adrenocortical cells were predominantly detected in the zona glomerulosa and partly in outer zona fasciculata (ZF) before 4 years of age and in ZR after 4 years of age, but the number of these cells markedly decreased around 20 years of age. The number of BCL2-positive cells increased in ZR and decreased in ZF during development. Adrenal androgen synthesizing type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B5 or AKR1C3 as listed in the Hugo Database) was almost confined to ZR of human adrenals throughout development. HSD17B5 immunoreactivity in ZR became discernible and increased from around 9 years of age. Results of our present study support the theory of age-dependent adrenocortical cell migration and also indicated that ZR development is not only associated with adrenarche, but may play important roles in an initiation of puberty.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Hoerr NL 1931 The cells of the suprarenal cortex in the guinea pig American Journal of Anatomy 48 139 197
  2. McNicol AM 1992 The human adrenal gland: aspect of structure, function and pathology The Adrenal Gland 1 42 James VHT New York Raven Press

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Authors
Hui, X.-G., Akahira, J.-I., Suzuki, T., Nio, M., Nakamura, Y., Suzuki, H., Rainey, W. E., & Sasano, H.
Affiliations
  • Tohoku University (JP)
  • Sendai Medical Center (JP)
  • Augusta University (US)
Venue
Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2009-09-01
Volume
203
Issue
2
Pages
241-252
ISSN
  • 0022-0795 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-6805
OpenAlex
W2143399308
Cited by
83
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 6
FWCI
3.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK069950, DK 43140, R01DK069950, R01DK043140)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal Regulation and Hypertension
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
Keywords
adrenal zona reticularis, adrenal development, adrenocortical cell proliferation, apoptosis, Ki-67, Bcl-2, androgen production, adrenarche, puberty onset, adrenal cortex
MeSH terms
Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3, Adolescent, Adrenal Cortex, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases, Immunohistochemistry, Infant, Male, Sex Characteristics, 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases, Zona Reticularis, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Ki-67 Antigen

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