

Progesterone -> (hydroxylation at C21)-> Deoxycorticosterone ->(two further hydroxylations)-> Aldosterone.Subsequent steps, however, only occur in the adrenal cortex: The steps up to this point occur in many steroid-producing tissues. Pregnenolone can be either dehydrogenated to progesterone, or hydroxylated to 17-alpha-hydroxypregnenolone.Accordingly, production of hormones in all three layers of the adrenal cortex is limited by the transportation of cholesterol into the mitochondria and by its conversion into pregnenolone. Cholesterol is transported into the inner mitochondrial membrane by steroidogenic acute regulatory protein ( STAR), where it is converted into pregnenolone by the enzyme CYP11A1.All adrenocortical hormones are synthesised from cholesterol.Weak androgens (eg, dehydroepiandrosterone) The cortex can be divided into three distinct layers of tissue based on their organization. It is also a secondary site of androgen synthesis. Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively. Ĭortical part of the adrenal gland (on the pointer). Risk calculators and risk factors for Adrenal cortexĮditor-In-Chief: C.

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Adrenal cortexĭirections to Hospitals Treating Adrenal cortex Ongoing Trials on Adrenal cortex at Clinical Ĭlinical Trials on Adrenal cortex at Google Articles on Adrenal cortex in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
