Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Isolation, Fixation, and Immunofluorescence Imaging of Mouse Adrenal Glands
Published on: October 2, 2018
Immunocytochemical correlates of an extrapituitary adrenocortical regulation in man
1Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Investigations reviewed in this article provide cytochemical and functional support for a significant involvement of extrapituitary factors in human adrenocortical functions. Among these factors neural messengers may play a crucial role in the adrenocortical regulation, arising from specifically coded postganglionic neurons with both, extrinsic and intrinsic locations, as well as from chemically characteristic afferent neurons. The close association of varicose transmitter segments with steroid hormone synthesizing cells and their occurrence at arteries and sinusoid capillaries are indicative for both direct and indirect regulatory mechanisms on cortical functions. The immunohistochemical presence of neuropeptides and cytokines in endocrine and/or immune cells of the human adrenal medulla and cortex as well as specific binding sites on steroidogenic cells indicate the modulatory implication of additional short-paracrine- and ultrashort-autocrine-feedback loops on cortical cell proliferation and steroid metabolism. The summarized data suggest that basal endocrine influence of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis on adrenocortical growth and functions in man is controlled by the nervous system that also regulates local fine-tuning of human cortical activity.
Related Concept Videos
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands
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...
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
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...
Adrenal Gland Disorders
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...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

