Histomorphology of Adrenal Cortex (Interrenal Tissue) in Guinea Fowl*

A histomorphological study on the adrenal gland was conducted in guinea fowl of different post-hatch age groups viz., day old,2,4,8, and 12 weeks. Tissue pieces were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, Bouin‘s fluid, Zenker's fluid and Orth fixative for routine paraffin embedding. Sections of 5–6 μm thickness were subjected to H&E and other special stains. The adrenal cortex was distinguished into two distinct zones, the peripheral subcapsular zone and the central inner zone. The cortical cells of the peripheral subcapsular zone were large columnar cells, arranged in a curved fashion to form a loop. The cells of the inner zone formed straight cords. The cortical cells of cylindrical cords were arranged in double row without enclosing a central lumen. Four types of cells viz., type-I, II, III and IV were identified in the adrenal cortex.