endocrinology: cortisol
DESCRIPTION
Endocrinology: Cortisol. Biology 304 Lab Gina Neonakis & Michelle McPherson March 6, 2013. What is Cortisol?. Regulates blood pressure, glucose metabolism, insulin release, immune function and inflammatory response. Secreted by the adrenal gland Termed the “Stress Hormone ” - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Endocrinology: CortisolBiology 304 LabGina Neonakis & Michelle McPhersonMarch 6, 2013
What is Cortisol?• Regulates blood pressure,
glucose metabolism, insulin release, immune function and inflammatory response.
• Secreted by the adrenal gland
• Termed the “Stress Hormone”
• Hydrocortisone creams
Cortisol Secretion
• Glucocorticoid
• Brain perceives stress ↓Hypothalamus- CRH ↓Pituitary Gland- ACTH ↓Adrenal Gland- Cortisol
Figure 1. Hormonal pathway caused by stress (Talbott & Kraemer, 2007).
Cortisol Rhythm• Follows a circadian rhythm• Highest level 6:00am-8:00am• Lowest level 12:00am-2:00am
Figure 2. A normal cortisol rhythm (Talbott & Kraemer, 2007).
• Figure 3. Normal stress response (Talbott & Kraemer, 2007).
Figure 4. Modern human stress response (Talbott & Kraemer, 2007).
Materials and Methods6 hormones ; ACTH, cortisol, LH, TSH, TSR and testosteroneSix sets of four adult male rats One experimental set One control setFed rat chow and were given fresh waterTwo experimental rats were injected everyday with specified
hormoneTwo control rats injected everyday with salineTwo week injection periodEuthanized by a intraperitoneal injection
Results
Normal body mass = 172
Castrate body mass = 195
Pituitary 9.6 9.4Thyroid 212 214Thymus 364 372Adrenals 28 26Seminal Vesicles
484 454
Prostate 431 394Testes 3201 n/a
Hormone 11
Normal body mass = 300 g
Castrate body mass = 270 g
Pituitary 12.9 12.9
Thyroid 250 250
Thymus 475 470
Adrenals 40 40
Seminal Vesicles
500 460
Prostate 425 392
Testes 3200 n/a
Controls
Results• When comparing the control rats with the experimental rats
these are the size differences we observed:• Pituitary: decrease• Thyroid: decrease• Thymus: decrease• Adrenals: decrease• Seminal Vesicles: decrease• Prostate: no significant change• Testes: no change and n/a
ResultsTRH TSH ACTH Cortisol Testosterone
normalTestosterone castrate
LH norm
LH castrate
Pituitary + - - - - - - -
Adrenal + +
Thyroid + + -
Thymus -
Testes - +
Prostate + + +
Seminal Vesicles
+ + +
Body weight - - - - + + +
Results• Unknown hormone 11 is Cortisol• Effects of high cortisol : fatigue, lowered immunity, increase
fat deposits, can cause Cushing’s disease • Ways to prevent hyper secretion of cortisol : yoga, exercise,
stress relieving activities
Questions?