Steroidogenesis in the Zones of the Mammalian Adrenal Cortex

TLDR: This chapter discusses the receptor sites for ACTH and isolated cell studies, and discusses acute and chronic factors affecting secretion along with renin-angiotensin system, functional aspects of adrenocortical zonation, metatheria, adrenOCortical sex steroids, and gonadotrophins.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes steroidogenesis in the zones of the mammalian adrenal cortex By the microanatomy of the adrenal cortex, exemplified by those eutherian and metatherian species, it is clear that there are three major zones, namely, the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata, and the zona reticularis with sub-divisions and additional zones Cells of organs are replaced throughout life, and the adrenal cortex is no exception; controversy lies in the mode whereby this is achieved Whatever may be the fact of the matter, the three zones produce various steroids in differing amounts and with both common and disparate controlling mechanisms The chapter discusses the receptor sites for ACTH and isolated cell studies It also discusses acute and chronic factors affecting secretion along with renin-angiotensin system, functional aspects of adrenocortical zonation, metatheria, adrenocortical sex steroids, and gonadotrophins