A light microscopical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of spindle-cell adrenocortical tumours of ferrets

Twelve adrenocortical tumours with a variable spindle-cell component in ferrets (six spayed females, three intact females, two castrated males, and one intact male) were examined by light microscopy. One tumour with a moderate spindle-cell component was examined ultrastructurally, and three tumours were studied immunohistochemically. Light microscopy revealed a spindlecell component in the tumours that varied from a few such cells occupying the stroma between packets of adrenocortical cells to cells in such large numbers that they formed almost the entire substance of the tumour. By light microscopy these spindle cells resembled smooth muscle cells, and the ultrastructural findings, particularly the presence of thin contractile filaments, suggested that the spindle cells were of smooth muscle origin. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the spindle cells were negative for cytokeratins and S-100 protein but positive for smooth muscle actin. Desmin was readily demonstrated in two tumours but not in the other examined. Vimentin was variable, generally producing a small to moderate amount of reaction product.