Abnormal mitochondrial cristae were experimentally generated by high doses of Apis mellifera venom in the rat adrenal cortex

▶ Apis mellifera venom caused ultrastructural changes in adrenal mitochondria in vivo. ▶ Diameters of cristae were reduced after subchronic treatment with low doses of venom. ▶ Acute treatment with very high doses of venom resulted in dramatic changes of cristae. ▶ Mitochondria displaying abnormal lamellar or circular concentric cristae prevailed. ▶ The circular cristae appeared to be the most stable form after the acute treatment.