Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

04:33
Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
Published on: March 12, 2019
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone and related peptides
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|June 10, 2006
Summary
This chapter details measuring adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in biological samples. The described method is applicable to other peptide hormones, offering practical guidance for accurate analysis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Biochemical analysis
Background:
- Accurate measurement of peptide hormones is crucial in clinical diagnostics.
- Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) plays a vital role in the endocrine system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive guide for measuring ACTH in biological fluids.
- To outline a methodology applicable to similar peptide hormones.
Main Methods:
- Detailed methodology for ACTH measurement.
- Guidance on sample collection, storage, and required materials.
- Inclusion of practical tips for complex analytical steps.
Main Results:
- A robust method for ACTH quantification is presented.
- The principle is adaptable for measuring other peptide hormones.
- Practical considerations for assay implementation are addressed.
Conclusions:
- The described method offers a reliable approach for ACTH measurement.
- This chapter serves as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians.
- The methodology's versatility extends to a broader range of peptide hormone analyses.
Related Concept Videos
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
Adrenal hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and orchestrating responses to stress, showcasing the intricate functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...
Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...
Humoral stimuli,...

