Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Teaching glucocorticoid negative feedback and adrenocortical regulation using a classic paper by Dr. Dwight Ingle
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Endocrine Research Laboratory, St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA. hraff@mcw.edu
Abstract:
The American Physiological Society (APS) Legacy Project and its accompanying Essays on APS Classic Papers have allowed the scientific community on-line access to the entire collection of APS publications since their inception in 1898 (http://www.the-aps.org/publications/legacy/ and http://www.the-aps.org/publications/classics/). The availability of the classic physiological studies provides a unique teaching opportunity. The classic paper of Dr. Dwight Ingle represents just such a study. Dr. Ingle demonstrated that, using only purified extracts of the pituitary (ACTH) and adrenal cortex (corticosterone) and hypophysectomized rats, he could establish several of the basic principles of the control of adrenal function and glucocorticoid negative feedback that are now standard teaching material in endocrinology. An annotated figure from Dr. Ingle's paper is provided, which, when assigned to undergraduate or graduate students, will allow discovery learning. Furthermore, the brilliance and imagination of the physiologists of the last century are highlighted, which allows an appreciation of the seminal work of our predecessors.
Related Concept Videos
Homeostatic Imbalance
However, sometimes these feedback loops fail,...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

