Adrenal tissue cortisol synthesis

The primary glucocorticoid released in humans is cortisol (also known as hydrocortisone). Cortisol synthesis and secretion are under the control of specific hypothalamic and pituitary hormones.7,24 31 Corticotropinreleasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary. ACTH travels in the systemic circulation to reach the adrenal cortex, where it stimulates cortisol synthesis. Cortisol then travels in the bloodstream to various target tissues to exert a number of physiologic effects (see Physiologic Effects of Glucocorticoids, later). 

Tissues that have a large requirement for cholesterol, such as the adrenal cortex, have a large number of LDL receptors on their cell surfaces. In the ease of the adrenal gland, the cholesterol is used in the synthesis of steroid hormones. One such hormone is cortisol (hydrocortisone) the similarity of its structure to cholesterol is evident from the following ... 

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