Adrenal Gland Rhythmicity and Pituitary Regulation of Adrenal Steroid Secretion

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Abstract
Prolactin most likely plays an important regulatory role in the control of adrenal gland steroidogenesis. Both adrenal progesterone and corticosterone secretion were strongly influenced by administration of this hormone to Ovx [ovariectomized] rats. The proestrous surge of plasma prolactin may be partially responsible for the enhanced secretion of adrenal corticosterone observed on that day of the cycle. Adrenal progesterone is secreted in a daily rhythm which is in phase with the corticosterone secretion in Ovx rats. Moreover, a comparable temporal shift in both of these rhythms in constant light animals suggests that these rhythms may be under control of the same regulatory system.