Answer
The adrenal cortex secretes glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol), aldosterone (mineralocoticoid),and a weak androgen, -- dehydro epiandesterone (DHEA).
Work Step by Step
Regulation of adrenal cortex secretion:
A decrease in plasma cortisol, stimulates the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus to increase the output of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH).The effect of increased serum level of CRH is a stimulation of the anterior pituitary(AP) to produce more adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH stimulation of the adrenal cortex causes an increase in cortisol production, and a small increase in the amount of aldosterone secreted. An increase in the serum level of glucocoticoids has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus which suppresses the release of CRH.
The adrenal cortex also secretes a weak androgen , dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA). This hormone promotes libido, and the growth of pubic and axillary hair. In females some DHEA is converted to estrogen. The level of DHEA is controlled mainly by the amount of serum ACTH.
Stress also plays a role in adrenal cortex secretory activities. Stress promotes the increase in secretion of interleukin-1 from macrophages of the immune response. Interleukin-1 stimulates ACTH secretion which promotes adrenal cortex secretory activities.
