Sexual maturation and the adrenal glands

Abstract

It is a definite possibility that organs which are primarily elements of functional systems other than the reproductive system are involved in sexual maturation. The adrenal glands are attractive candidates for such a role in sexual maturation : they are capable of producing androgens, oestrogens and progesterone, not only in the adult, but also in the prepubertal animal. This points to the adrenal cortex as source of hormonal material that may be directly involved in sexual maturation. Studies in which adrenalectomy, followed by reimplantation of the adrenal glands, was performed, provide proof that medullary degeneration does not influence sexual maturation (Gorski & Lawton, 1972, 1973.We will review here the main lines of available evidence on involvement of the adrenal glands in sexual maturation. Emphasis will be on the female rat which has been studied most extensively. The following topics will be discussed. (1) Hormone production by the adrenal glands during sexual maturation. This background information seems important if a possible role of the adrenal glands in sexual maturation is considered. (2) Interactions that have been observed between adrenal gland function and the reproductive system in the prepubertal animal. Although existence of such inter¬ actions does not necessarily give (direct) proof of adrenal involvement in sexual maturation, it does perhaps indicate how the adrenal glands may contribute to sexual maturation. (3) Experimental alteration of adrenal function and sexual maturation : under this heading we will discuss the various parameters of sexual maturation that have been studied after experimental manipulation of adrenal function, in which the approach has been largely restricted to adrenalectomy. (4) Finally, we will discuss whether, when established, an influence of the adrenal glands on sexual maturation must be attributed to a specific interaction of the adrenal glands with the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian sys¬ tem or whether it is due to more general effects of adrenal function on bodily development. It is well-known that the stage of bodily development reached is a decisive factor in sexual maturation.

Neonatal glucocorticoid administration: effect on the diurnal rhythm of serum concentrations of corticosterone, progesterone and LH, and the response to pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin in immature female rats

“…These results agree with earlier studies that a diurnal rhythm of serum progesterone exists in the immature rat (Ramaley & Bartosik, 1974;Cost & Mann, 1976). There is still some question whether the adrenal glands or ovaries are the major source of serum progesterone in these animals (Meijs-Roelofs & Moll, 1978). Since diurnal secretion of corticosterone was not disturbed by perinatal cortisol acetate exposure while the serum progesterone rhythm was lost, our results from this study suggest that diurnal differences in gonadal (rather than adrenal) produc¬ tion of progesterone contribute significantly to the progesterone rhythm.…”

The contribution of adrenal and gonadal androgens to the growth in height of adolescent males

“…Adrenal androgens may have direct or indirect effects on overall bodily development at other times during development (Meijs-Roelofs and Moll, 1978;Katz et al, 1983). Following maturation of the reticular zone of the adrenal gland at adrenarche at approximately 6-8 years of age, concentrations of adrenal androgens continue to rise through adolescence, reaching a peak in early adulthood (Korth-Schutz et al, 1976;Orentreich et al, 1984;Parker et al, 1978;Sizonenko and Paunier, 1975).…”

Mating Stimuli Influence Endogenous Variations in the Neurosteroids 3α,5α‐THP and 3α‐Diol

“…3a-Diol, concentrations are lower than before puberty (54-55). After puberty, 3a-Diol concentrations vary over the Together these findings suggest that 3a,5a-THP and 3a-Diol may influence reproductive behavior in part through non-oestrous cycle, which suggest that this neurosteroid has a functional role in adulthood (26)(27)(28)(29). As with 3a,5a-THP, genomic actions at GBRs.…”