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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

Published on: March 12, 2019

Adrenal changes associated with adrenarche.

Yasuhiro Nakamura¹, Hui Xiao Gang, Takashi Suzuki

¹Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders

|September 30, 2008

Summary

Adrenarche involves rising adrenal androgen production, linked to changes in steroidogenic enzymes and the adrenal zona reticularis. These intra-adrenal shifts in enzyme expression track adrenarche progression.

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Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

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Published on: March 12, 2019

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling

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Published on: September 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Adrenarche is a developmental stage characterized by increased adrenal androgen production.
The precise mechanisms driving this rise in androgens are not fully understood.
Intra-adrenal changes, including enzyme expression and adrenal zone morphology, are implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the intra-adrenal changes within the adrenal cortex associated with adrenarche.
To elucidate the role of steroidogenic enzyme expression in adrenal androgen production during adrenarche.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on adrenal androgenesis and adrenarche.
Analysis of studies detailing the expression patterns of key steroidogenic enzymes in the adrenal cortex.
Correlation of enzyme expression profiles with morphological changes in the adrenal zona reticularis.

Main Results:

Adrenarche is associated with an expansion of the adrenal zona reticularis (ZR).
The ZR shows increased expression of cytochrome b5 (CYB5) and steroid sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) compared to the fasciculata.
The growing ZR exhibits a deficiency in 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2).

Conclusions:

The observed steroidogenic enzyme profile in the ZR favors the production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).
These intra-adrenal changes appear to track the progression of adrenarche.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending adrenal development and androgen regulation.