Effect of Cold Stress on Ultrastructure of Adrenaline-and Noradrenaline-Storing Cells in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract

Sixteen Brown-Leghorn cockerels were fed in temperature controllable chamber at 30°C for 10 days before being immediately subjected to low temperature at 3OC. The ultrastructure of adrenomedullary cells following the change of temperature at various time intervals (0. 1, 3. 6, 9, 12 hours and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14 days) were observed. The noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells were more intensely affected than adrenaline-storing (A) cells. resulting in decrease their secretory granules. It is suggested that the cold stress induces secretory granules of both A-and NA-storing cells degranulation via a release mechanism other than exocytosis in the common sense as previous findings. The domestic fowl could adapt to chronic cold environment.