Editing Adrenal cortex (section)

== Hormone synthesis ==
[[File:Adrenal Steroids Pathways - edited.svg|thumb|Adrenal steroid pathways]]
The precursor of steroids synthesized in the adrenal cortex is [[cholesterol]] that is stored in vesicles. Cholesterol can be synthesized [[de novo synthesis|de novo]] in the adrenal cortex. Yet, the major source of cholesterol appears to be cholesterol that is taken up with circulating lipoproteins.
<ref name="pmid26204136">{{cite journal| vauthors=London E, Wassif CA, Horvath A, Tatsi C, Angelousi A, Karageorgiadis AS, Porter FD, Stratakis CA| title=Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Trafficking in Cortisol-Producing Lesions of the Adrenal Cortex. | journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab | year= 2015 | volume= 100 | issue= 10 | pages= 3660–7 | pmid=26204136 | doi=10.1210/jc.2015-2212 | pmc=4596036 }}</ref>

The steps up to this point occur in many [[steroid]]-producing tissues. Subsequent steps to generate aldosterone and cortisol, however, primarily occur in the adrenal cortex:
* Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C21) → 11-[[Deoxycorticosterone]] → (two further hydroxylations at C11 and C18) → [[Aldosterone]]
* Progesterone → (hydroxylation at C17) → 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone → (hydroxylation at C21) → [[11-Deoxycortisol]] → (hydroxylation at C11) → [[Cortisol]]
[[File:Adrenal steroid hormone synthesis.png|thumb|Adrenal steroid hormone synthesis steps]]