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 Δ 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17 β-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.

An insight into the skin glands, dermal scales and secretions of the caecilian amphibian Ichthyophis beddomei

“…Caecilians are a much-neglected group of animals in terms of research, little has been done with regard to this species. Its structural variation of oviduct in relation to the annual cycle ( Masood-Parveez and Nadkarni, 1991 ), inter-renal gland structure and function ( Masood-Parveez et al, 1992 ), ovarian cycle ( Masood-Parveez and Nadkarni, 1993a ), ovary ( Masood-Parveez and Nadkarni, 1993b ) and pituitary gland ( Masood-Parveez et al, 1994 ) have been studied. Thus, I. beddomei became the animal of choice in this study.…”