European Journal of Endocrinology · 1952 · 20 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesEndocrinologyPhysiologyNeuroendocrinologyReproductive EndocrinologyReproductive PhysiologyAdrenal EndocrinologyAdrenal HormonesAdrenal SteroidogenesisGonadal EndocrinologyGonadal HormonesHypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal AxisAdrenal Androgen ProductionAdrenal Cortex AnatomyAdrenal Cortex FunctionAdrenal Cortex PhysiologyAdrenal Cortex SteroidogenesisAdrenal Gland AnatomyGonadal PhysiologyZona Reticularis Function
The ability of the adrenal cortex to produce androgenic and oestrogenic substances is at present generally accepted. The production probably takes place in one particular layer, often referred to as the X-zone and usually localized in the zona reticularis. Botella Llusia (1951, 1952) uses the term »sexual adrenal gland« and refers to the X-zone as the third gonad, contending that this layer may adopt the hormonal function in insufficiency of the sexual glands.