Adrenocorticotropic hormone
From WikiLectures
| adenohypophysis | |
| a peptide consisting of 39 amino acids | |
| Adrenal cortex | |
| increases the production of glucocorticoids in the adrenal cortex |
Adrenokortikotropní hormon (ACTH) is hormone of the anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis), that controls the activity of the adrenal cortex. The cortex of the adrenal gland consists of three layers – zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. The zona fasciculata and reticularis are controlled by ACTH. ACTH production is controlled from the hypothalamus with the help of hormones - corticoliberin (CRH, increases secretion) and corticostatin (CRH-IH, decreases secretion). The main function of ACTH is to increase the production of glucocorticoids (cortisol) in the adrenal cortex.
Chemical structure:
- It is a peptide consisting of 39 amino acids and its precursor is propiomelanocortin.
Secretion disorders:
- Chronic ACTH stimulation of the adrenal cortex leads to adrenocortical hyperplasia a hypertrophy.
- ACTH deficiency leads to adrenocortical atrophy.
