The human fetal adrenal produces cortisol but no detectable aldosterone throughout the second trimester.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human fetal adrenal glands are highly active and, with the placenta, regulate circulating progesterone, estrogen and corticosteroids in the fetus. At birth the adrenals are essential for neonate salt retention through secretion of aldosterone, while adequate glucocorticoids are required to prevent adrenal insufficiency. The objective of this study was to carry out the first comprehensive analysis of adrenal steroid levels and steroidogenic enzyme expression in normal second trimester human fetuses.

Methods

This was an observational study of steroids, messenger RNA transcripts and proteins in adrenals from up to 109 second trimester fetuses (11 weeks to 21 weeks) at the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. The study design was balanced to show effects of maternal

SUBMITTER: Johnston ZC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5808459 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature