[Functional morphology of the adrenal cortex during the physiological rhythm of sex steroid synthesis].

A method of a quantitative histenzymological analysis was used for determination of the extent of participation of various zones of the adrenal cortex in provision of physiological rhythm of the steroid synthesis. The activity of 3beta-OH-steroid dehydrogenase, glucoso-6-phosphat dehydrogenase, NAD- and NADP-diaphorases, acid and alkaline phosphatases and non-specific esterase was investigated. The data of a histoenzymotological study were compared with the result of biochemical analysis of corticosteroids in the peripheral blood. Under physiological conditions intensification of steroidogenesis was realized by mobilization of individual groups of cells of the adrenal gland, not its whole parenchyma. Physiological rhythm of steroid synthesis was provided by an integrated function of all the zones; however, by duration and quantitative expression of the secretory activity a structural heterogeneity was revealed in the adrenal cortex.