Adrenocortical adenoma with primary aldosteronism in culture.

Four adrenocortical adenomata with primary aldosteronism (Conn's adenomata) were examined by light and electron microscopy employing cell culture methods. Unstimulated cells existed as a unit of the clusters, but Conn's adenoma cells reacted to ACTH. The cultured cells produced mostly cortisol under ACTH-stimulation as time passed. Lipid droplets in their cytoplasm decreased in number and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) was well-developed with dilated, anastomosing tubule. Moreover, mitochondria sometimes had tubulovesicular cristae. It is assumed that Conn's adenoma cells are hybrid type cells, which are intrinsically capable of producing cortisol as well as aldosterone.