the renin-angiotensin system for salt and water homeostasis
the hypothalamic-pituitary axis:
hypothalamus:
co-ordinates neural input and negative feedback stimulus from haematogenous glucocorticoids
secretes corticotrophin releasing factor - CRF
anterior pituitary:
integrates the signal for release from CRF, which may be increased by the action of antidiuretic hormone, with negative feedback from haematogenous glucocorticoids
secretes adrenocorticotrophin hormone, ACTH
ACTH acts on cells of the adrenal cortex to cause the release and synthesis of cortisol; negative feedback of ACTH secretion by cortisol is rapid
ACTH feedsback on the hypothalamus to inhibit CRF release
very high doses of ACTH are required to stimulate aldosterone release; aldosterone is primarily under renin-angiotensin control
release of CRH, and hence, ACTH and cortisol, is in hourly pulses with additionally, a large peak in the early morning, but other substantial peaks occur through the day
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