| Adrenal androgens in humans and nonhuman primates: production, zonation and regulation. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18493132 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The synthesis and secretion of large quantities of the adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfoconjugate DHEA sulfate (DS), is a phenomenon that appears limited to humans and some nonhuman primates. Both hydroxylase and lyase activities of the enzyme 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase cytochrome P450 (P450c17) are necessary for DHEA production and are differentially regulated during adrenal development. Production of DHEA and DS occurs in the zona reticularis (ZR) of adults and the fetal zone of fetal primate adrenal glands, which is the primary substrate for maternal estrogen production during pregnancy. The onset of adrenal androgen production in childhood, referred to as adrenarche, corresponds with the establishment of the ZR: but the process is poorly understood, largely due to the lack of accessible animal models. Several nonhuman primates have been used to study adrenal function and remodeling, though none completely recapitulates human adrenarche, developmentally, functionally or temporally. This review will summarize the variations in adrenal androgen production and adrenal zonation in humans and nonhuman primates throughout life. It is hoped that recent studies demonstrating adrenarche in the rhesus will put in proper context the significance of adrenal zonation in nonhuman primates as valid models for human adrenal development and function. |
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Authors:
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Ann D Nguyen; Alan J Conley |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Endocrine development Volume: 13 ISSN: 1421-7082 ISO Abbreviation: Endocr Dev Publication Date: 2008 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-05-21 Completed Date: 2008-08-11 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101138956 Medline TA: Endocr Dev Country: Switzerland |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 33-54 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adrenal Glands
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metabolism* Androgens / metabolism* Animals Enzymes / metabolism, physiology Humans Models, Biological Primates / metabolism* Signal Transduction Steroids / biosynthesis Tissue Distribution |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Androgens; 0/Enzymes; 0/Steroids |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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