A detailed dissection of the renal plexus and the aorticorenal area was carried out in 57 adult cadavers (32 males and 25 females). This study showed that the aorticorenal ganglia may be located anywhere in the general area of the junction of the renal arteries with the aorta. These ganglia were found to be partly fused with the celiac ganglion in 4% on the right side and in 12% on the left. All three thoracic splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser, and least) may have rami which terminate in the sorticorenal ganglia. The least splanchnic terminated in the aorticorenal ganglion more often than the other nerves when the ganglion was located inferior to the renal artery. In this location, the first lumbar splanchnic nerve also may terminate in the aorticorenal ganglion. The aorticorenal ganglia also had connections with the renal plexus, inermesenteric nerves, celiac and superior mesenteric plexuses, adrenal gland, and possibly with the spermatic and ovarian plexuses through the renal plexus. By using the silver impregnation technique of Holmes, we found the aorticorenal ganglia to have a role in renal innervation. When these ganglia were unilaterally removed from a series of 14 cats, a definite reduction of neme fibers associated with the tubules of the renal cortex, and to a lesser extent, with the renal blood vessels, was observed. Most nerve endings were associated with the proximal convoluted tubules, but a few were observed in the glomeruli.Interest in renal innervation has increased in recent years; the aorticorenal ganglia and their connections with this innervation, however, have been largely neglected. Although these ganglia apparently are present in the majority of humans, there is no detailed description of their location, principal connections, and role in renal innervation.Mitchell ('50) has exhaustively reviewed the literature pertinent to the extrinsic nerve supply to the kidney and the intrinsic renal nerves ('51); therefore an extensive review of the literature will not be made prior to 1950.According to Mitchell ('50), Willis (1664) was probably the first to illustrate the connections between the thoracic nerves and the aorticorenal (or possibly renal) ganglia. Since that time there has been a controversy regarding the terminations of these nerves. De Sousa Pereira ('46) found that the least splanchnic nerve "extends toward the origin of the renal artery and almost always terminates in the aorticorenal ganglion" (italics mine). Kuntz ('56) stated that the least splanchnic nerve usually terminates in the posterior J. COMP. NEUK 137 301-112 renal ganglion, but "rarely terminates in the aorticorenal ganglion" (italics mine). Maillet ('60) studied the nerve fibers present in the kidney following the chemical destruction of the aorticorenal ganglion, renal artery plexus, and ureter. He did not discuss the location of the aorticorenal ganglia.In proportion of their size, the kidneys have been said to receive a more abundant nerve supply than any other abdominal viscera, except the adrenals. There ...

The Harderian glands of the golden hamster exhibit a sexual dimorphism manifested by acinar cells of one type and the presence of porphyrin granules in the female, and by acinar cells of two types and the absence of porphyrin in the male. Castration of male hamsters produces Harderian glands of the female type. In the present study, it was found that a similar effect is not produced by pineal-induced testicular regression and that blinding inhibits the usual castration-induced change in the Harderian glands. Combinations of procedures involving castration, blinding, and pinealectomy of adult male hamsters indicate that the pineal gland is responsible for this inhibition. The findings support the hypothesis that elevated gonadotropin levels are responsible for producing the female type of Harderian glands in castrated males.

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