Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Adrenal Gland Disorders01:27

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands01:31

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...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

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...
Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands01:17

Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal or supra-renal glands, situated above the kidneys and aligned with the twelfth rib, are paired pyramid-shaped structures crucial for the body's stress response. During stress, these glands secrete hormones vital for adaptive physiological reactions.
These glands possess a distinctive yellow tinge due to the stored cholesterol and fatty acids required for hormone synthesis. They are encased in a fibrous capsule and cushioned by fat.
The adrenal gland comprises two distinct regions...
Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

TNF but not VEGF induces secretion of multiple chemokines and cytokines by uterine artery endothelial cells: potential implications for preeclampsia.

Journal of molecular endocrinology·2025
Same author

Circadian pattern of plasma melatonin concentrations in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus).

American journal of primatology·2020
Same author

Anogenital distance in newborn daughters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome indicates fetal testosterone exposure.

Journal of developmental origins of health and disease·2018
Same author

Clustering of PCOS-like traits in naturally hyperandrogenic female rhesus monkeys.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2017
Same author

Vascular adaptation in pregnancy and endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia.

The Journal of endocrinology·2016
Same author

Developmental programming: rescuing disruptions in preovulatory follicle growth and steroidogenesis from prenatal testosterone disruption.

Journal of ovarian research·2016
Same journal

Metabolic profiling of human follicular fluid to unravel the pathways involved in polycystic ovary syndrome - a systematic review.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
Same journal

Exercise remodels the skeletal muscle immune microenvironment to ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced muscle atrophy: From immunometabolism to organ crosstalk.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
Same journal

Family matters? A Systematic review of interventions addressing family-level mechanisms in the treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
Same journal

What is measured and what is estimated in body composition? A clarification framework for terminology and interpretation.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
Same journal

Unveiling the role of aldosterone in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
Same journal

Prenatal and postnatal maternal obesity and their associations with child nutrition and weight outcomes: A systematic review.

Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
04:33

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

Published on: March 12, 2019

Nonhuman primates as models for human adrenal androgen production: function and dysfunction.

D H Abbott1, I M Bird

  • 1Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA.

Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
|August 7, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adrenal androgen production differs across primate species, with unique onset timings in humans, rhesus macaques, and marmosets. Comparative studies reveal common mechanisms driving DHEA synthesis and offer insights into human adrenal disorders.

More Related Videos

Establishment of Zone-Enriched Primary Cultures from the Mouse Adrenal Cortex
07:43

Establishment of Zone-Enriched Primary Cultures from the Mouse Adrenal Cortex

Published on: May 8, 2026

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
08:20

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
04:33

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

Published on: March 12, 2019

Establishment of Zone-Enriched Primary Cultures from the Mouse Adrenal Cortex
07:43

Establishment of Zone-Enriched Primary Cultures from the Mouse Adrenal Cortex

Published on: May 8, 2026

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
08:20

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Published on: October 2, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Comparative Physiology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Adrenal-derived androgens, like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are produced in significant quantities by the fetal adrenal gland and adult zona reticularis (ZR) in humans and Old World primates.
  • While similarities exist, distinct differences in the origin and regulation of circulating DHEA and adrenal androgens are observed across mammalian species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comparatively analyze the diversity of adrenal androgen biosynthesis and its developmental timing across three primate species.
  • To elucidate mechanisms underlying adrenal androgen regulation and human pathophysiology through cross-species comparison.

Main Methods:

  • Examined developmental timing of adrenal DHEA synthesis in humans, rhesus macaques, and marmosets.
  • Assessed developmental changes in the expression of key genes (CYP17, HSD3B2, CYB5) in the zona reticularis.
  • Integrated biochemical characterization of cloned CYP17 cDNA and its enzymatic activities (17,20 lyase vs. 17-hydroxylase).
  • Investigated effects of in utero androgen excess in rhesus macaques on adult adrenal function, modeling human PCOS.

Main Results:

  • Human DHEA biosynthesis onset occurs at adrenarche, rhesus macaques exhibit a peri-parturition onset, and marmosets show a dynamic, reversible onset.
  • Differential expression of CYP17, HSD3B2, and CYB5 correlates with developmental timing of DHEA synthesis.
  • In utero androgen exposure in female rhesus macaques leads to adult adrenal hyperandrogenism, mirroring human PCOS.
  • Altered gene expression and kinase signaling pathways (PKA, PI3K/AKT) impact 17,20 lyase activity.

Conclusions:

  • Triggers for zona reticularis function onset vary (age, development, social status, gender) but common mechanisms drive increased DHEA biosynthesis across species.
  • Comparative studies of nonhuman primate adrenal function are crucial for understanding human 17,20 lyase activity and dysfunction.