Structural and Functional Alterations in The Zona Fasciculata ofThe Rat Adrenal Cortex in Obstructive Jaundice

This study investigated the effect of experimentally‐induced cholestasis in the rat on the structure and function of the zona fasciculata, the glucocorticoid secretory region of the adrenal cortex. Wistar‐Furth rats (200‐250g) were assigned to three groups: bile duct ligated (BDL), Sham operated (Sham) and unmodified normal control (NC). On day 14, serum bilirubin and liver histology were performed to confirm cholestasis in BDL animals together with basal 24 hour 17‐hydroxycorti‐costeroid excretion, adrenal histology and zona fasciculata ultrastructure in all experimental groups. Following this laparotomy, structural and functional studies were repeated on day 15 to evaluate the response of the gland to surgically induced stress. Basal 24 hr. 17‐hydroxycorticoid steroid excretion was elevated in BDL animals (26.9 ±3.2 μ g/24 hr) with respect to Sham (10.4 ± 2.3) and NC groups (13.5 ± 3.2) (p