Genetic differences in mouse adrenocortical structure.

The adrenal structure was studied in three inbred mice strains: KP, KE, and CBA. In adult females the adrenal weight and size was higher than in males from the respective strains. It resulted from the higher adrenocortical volume in females, from the higher volume of particular adrenocortical zones and from the presence of an undegenerated x-zone. In the KE females the x-zone deserves a particular attention because of its unusual morphology, different from that observed in females from the other strains. Significant differences were found between the investigated strains in the volume of particular adrenocortical zones, as well as in the number and size of the adrenocortical cells. The above differences were confirmed by the morphometric and sterereologic analysis using Weibel's method.