Interrenal of a female gymnophione amphibian, Ichthyophis beddomei, during the annual reproductive cycle.

ABSTRACT

The interrenal (adrenal) of Ichthyophis beddomei lies on the ventral side of the kidney, distributed in four zones. It is separated from the renal tissue by a thin layer of connective tissue and contains both adrenocortical and chromaffin cells. Adrenocortical tissue constitutes a major portion of the interrenal islets; the chromaffin tissue consists of a few cells located at the peripheries of the interrenal islets. Histochemical studies demonstrate the presence of Δ5 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and sudanophilic lipids in the adrenocortical tissue, suggesting its steroidogenic potential. Annual histometric and histochemical studies show two peaks of interrenal activity (1) during the breeding phase of the reproductive cycle (January and February) and (2) during the season of heavy monsoon rains (June and July) in the postbreeding phase.