Adrenals

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The avian adrenal gland plays a central role in homeostasis and is composed of chromaffin and cortical tissues that are variably intermingled. The primary role of its secretory products is the regulate energy flow and partitioning. Catecholamines from the chromaffin tissue largely raise blood glucose for rapid energy expenditure during acute stress especially during the more commonly described “fight-or-flight response.” By contrast, the corticosteroid secretory products from the cortical tissue control more complex functions. The mineralocorticoids are part of a larger system that regulates salt and water balance. The glucocorticoids are part of a larger system that regulates energy flow and partitioning. The pleiotropic effects of corticosteroids are mediated by a complex array of cognate intracellular and membrane receptors and receptor isoforms, both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid types. Furthermore, they can heterodimerize with other steroid receptors and associate with coactivators and corepressors. In addition, the action of glucocorticoids at the cellular level is modulated by various circulating binding globulins and intracellular enzymes in target cells that degrade and regenerate active corticosteroids at the local level. This chapter focuses on the fundamental regulation of the adrenal tissues and the action of catecholamines and corticosteroids and how they change over life-history cycle and life-history stage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSturkie's Avian Physiology
PublisherElsevier
Pages861-894
Number of pages34
ISBN (Electronic)9780128197707
ISBN (Print)9780323853514
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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