Sex differences in adrenal cortex beta-catenin immunolocalization of the Saharan gerbil, Libyan jird (Meriones libycus, Lichtenstein, 1823)

Background: The adrenal cortex provides adequate steroidogenic responses to environmental changes. However, in desert rodents, the adrenocortical activity varies according to several factors especially sex, age, and seasonal variations. Herein, we examined the sex differences in the adrenal cortex activity and explored the involvement of sex hormones in the regulation of this function in Libyan jird Meriones libycus. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adults male and female animals weighing 109-110g were captured in the breeding season and equally assigned into control and gonadectomised groups. Animal euthanasia was performed 50 days after the gonadectomy. Adrenal gland was processed for structural and immunohistochemistry study of β-catenin, whereas plasma was used for cortisol assay. Results: The results showed that female adrenal gland weight was heavier than male and gonadectomy reduced this dimorphism. The adrenal cortex thickness was greater in the female than in the male, mainly due to significant development of the zona fasciculata. Females presented higher cell density in fasciculata and reticularis zones. The plasma cortisol was higher in females than in males. The immunolocalization of β-catenin showed that the expression was particularly glomerular in both sexes. However, in the female, the immunostaining was present in the zona reticularis while it was absent in the control male. Orchiectomy reduced zona glomerulosa cell density and induced hypertrophy of zona reticularis characterized by strong β-catenin immunoreactivity. However, ovariectomy leads to hyperplastic expansion and high β-catenin expression in the zona glomerulosa associated with zona fasciculata and reticularis hypoplasia distinguished by weak β-catenin immunostaining. Conclusions: Results indicated that sex hormones had a major role in the regulation of the Saharan gerbil’s adrenal homeostasis by modulating β-catenin signaling. Androgens seem to inhibit the Wnt β-catenin pathway and estrogens are activators of the adrenal inner zones