The zona fasciculata of the rat adrenal cortex synthesizes and secretes glucocorticoids. As observed after aldehyde fixation, the cells in this zone contain an extensive endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a small Golgi apparatus, a moderate number of lipid droplets, and abundant mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae. Numerous areas within the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial cristae appear clear. In addition, a small percentage of mitochondria encompasses large, clear areas. After immersion of finely minced adrenal cortex in unbuffered 2% OsO4 (40–48 hr at 40°C), deposits of osmium are seen within the Golgi apparatus, the entirety of the ER, and occasionally within mitochondria. In some mitochondria, the deposits are within cristae; in others, within vacuoles; in still others, in both cristae and vacuoles. These localizations correspond best to the clear areas found in aldehyde-fixed tissue. Osmium is not deposited in lipid droplets, in bar-containing inclusions, in mitochondrial matrix inclusions, or in the peripheral, outer mitochondrial spaces. Addition of zinc-iodide to OsO4 increases the amount of Golgi apparatus and mitochondrial staining. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) does not affect the localization of deposits; hypophysectomy decreases mitochondrial staining. This study (a) emphasizes the necessity for electron microscopic confirmation of osmium localization when this technique is used as a Golgi apparatus stain; and (b) suggests that the ER-staining pattern may be consistent in cells actively synthesizing steroids or steroid-like compounds.
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1 August 1970
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August 01 1970
OSMIUM STAINING OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MITOCHONDRIA IN THE RAT ADRENAL CORTEX
Daniel S. Friend,
Daniel S. Friend
From the Department of Pathology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94122
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Gail E. Brassil
Gail E. Brassil
From the Department of Pathology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94122
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Daniel S. Friend
From the Department of Pathology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94122
Gail E. Brassil
From the Department of Pathology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94122
Received:
December 18 1969
Revision Received:
March 05 1970
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
Copyright © 1970 by The Rockefeller University Press
1970
J Cell Biol (1970) 46 (2): 252–266.
Article history
Received:
December 18 1969
Revision Received:
March 05 1970
Citation
Daniel S. Friend, Gail E. Brassil; OSMIUM STAINING OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MITOCHONDRIA IN THE RAT ADRENAL CORTEX . J Cell Biol 1 August 1970; 46 (2): 252–266. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.46.2.252
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