Various Cell Types of the Adrenal Medulla

Abstract

COUPLAND et al.¹ have reported that noradrenaline was synthesized in the so-called ‘dark’ cells, and adrenaline in the ‘light’ ones of the adrenal medulla. According to Coupland the ‘light’ or ‘dark’ character of these cell types depends on specific histochemical and electron-histochemical properties induced by glutaraldehyde and osmic acid treatment, enabling adrenaline- and noradrenaline-containing cells to be distinguished. Coupland's theory is supported by several other authors^2–5; however, there are some observations, especially those of Yates, Wassermann and ourselves^6–9, which contradict it. These authors identified, by histochemical and electron-microscopical methods, cell-types containing noradrenaline (with granules of 1500–3000 Å) and adrenaline (with granules of 500–1000 Å) in the adrenal medulla of the golden hamster, and in the grass snake (Natrix natrix).