An exploratory study using the network approach for quality of life and blood markers in a Brazilian population / Um estudo exploratório utilizando a aplicação da abordagem de rede à qualidade de vida e marcadores sanguíneos em uma população brasileira / Un estudio exploratorio utilizando la aplicación del enfoque de red a la calidad de vida y los marcadores sanguíneos en una población brasileña

Although it is generally considered that quality of life (QoL) is related to blood markers, there are different approaches to the relation between these variables. We proposed here a dynamic interaction test. The aim was to ascertain which blood indicators relate to QoL through a network perspective in a common population. Answered a questionnaire and conducted blood exams 108 Brazilians. Of these, 84 were female, with a mean age of 43.85 years old (SD = 16.20). Data analysis indicated that CRP, T4 (FT4), Thyroid-stimulating hormone, and Cortisol bridges with QoL dimensions. The data suggest that QoL is related to blood markers, but some trends were less than the literature has indicated. This present study is exploratory. The relations are complex, and our findings suggest that the dynamic network structure expands the range of QoL and blood markers research, making it possible to investigate a new range of questions and analyses.

Embora se considere geralmente que a qualidade de vida (QV) está relacionada a marcadores sanguíneos, existem diferentes abordagens para a relação entre essas variáveis. Propomos aqui um teste de interação dinâmica. O objetivo foi verificar quais indicadores de sangue se relacionam com a QV através de uma perspectiva de rede em uma população comum. Respondeu a um questionário e realizou exames de sangue 108 brasileiros. Desses, 84 eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 43,85 anos (DP = 16,20). A análise dos dados indicou que a PCR, T4 (FT4), hormônio estimulante da tireoide e cortisol fazem pontes com dimensões de QV. Os dados sugerem que a QV está relacionada a determinados marcadores sanguíneos, mas algumas tendências foram inferiores às indicadas pela literatura. O presente trabalho é exploratório. As relações são complexas e nossos achados sugerem que a estrutura dinâmica da rede expande a gama de pesquisas sobre QV e marcadores sanguíneos, possibilitando a investigação de um novo espectro de perguntas e análises.

Aunque generalmente se considera que la calidad de vida (QoL) esté relacionada con los marcadores sanguíneos, existen diferentes enfoques para la relación entre estas variables. Propusimos aquí una prueba de interacción dinámica. El objetivo era determinar qué indicadores sanguíneos se relacionan con la calidad de vida a través de una perspectiva de red en una población común. Respondieron a un cuestionario y realizaron exámenes de sangre a 108 brasileños. De estos, 84 eran mujeres, con una edad media de 43,85 años (DE = 16,20). El análisis de datos indicó que CRP, T4 (FT4), hormona estimulante de la tiroides y cortisol hacen puentes con dimensiones de calidad de vida. Los datos sugieren que la calidad de vida está relacionada con ciertos marcadores sanguíneos, pero algunas tendencias fueron menores de lo que la literatura ha indicado. El presente trabajo es exploratorio. Las relaciones son complejas, y nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la estructura dinámica de la red amplía el rango de QoL y las investigaciones de marcadores sanguíneos, lo que permite investigar un nuevo rango de preguntas y análisis.

Effects of perinatal period administration of clomiphene citrate in sexual behavior, organ weights and hormone concentration of Wistar male and female rats / Efeito da administração do citrato de clomifeno durante o período perinatal no comportamento sexual, peso dos órgãos e concentração hormonal de ratos Wistar machos e fêmeas

The effects of prenatal exposure to clomiphene citrate in sexual behavior, organ weight and hormone concentrations of male and female rats was evaluated. The animals received four doses of clomiphene citrate 2 mg/mL each during the prenatal period (21 days of gestation DG21) on days 1 (DN1), 2 (DN2) and 3 (DN3) after the birth of the puppies. The treatment led to the development of polycystic ovaries in 70% of the females, masculinization of female sexual behavior and changes in sexual behavior of males evidenced by the reduction in the number of ejaculations. In regards to hormone levels, a decrease in the FSH levels in male offspring was observed. It was concluded that clomiphene citrate interferes with the reproductive capacity of male and female rats and female sexual orientation when prenatally administered.

Foram investigados os efeitos da exposição perinatal ao citrato de clomifeno no comportamento sexual, peso dos órgãos e concentração hormonal de ratos machos e fêmeas. Os animais receberam quatro doses de 2 mg/mL de citrato de clomifeno, no período perinatal (21 dias de gestação DG21), nos dias 1 (DN1), 2 (DN2) e 3 (DN3) após o nascimento dos filhotes. O tratamento causou desenvolvimento de ovário policístico em 70% das fêmeas, masculinização do comportamento sexual das fêmeas e alteração do comportamento sexual dos machos evidenciado pela redução no número de ejaculações. Em relação aos níveis hormonais, observou-se diminuição de FSH na prole masculina. Concluiu-se que o citrato de clomifeno interfere na capacidade reprodutiva de ratos machos e fêmeas, e na orientação sexual de fêmeas, quando administrado perinatalmente.

Evaluation of sensitivity, motor and pain thresholds across the menstrual cycle through medium-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify variations in nervous thresholds in different phases of the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women and users of oral contraceptives. METHOD: An observational study was performed including 56 volunteers, consisting of 30 eumenorrheic women who were non-users of oral contraceptives and 26 users of oral contraceptives. An electrical stimulator was employed to assess their nervous thresholds, with pulses applied at a fixed frequency of 2,500 Hz, modulated at 50 Hz, with phase variances of 20 μs, 50 μs and 100 μs. Sensitivity, motor and pain thresholds were evaluated during five menstrual cycle phases: phase 1 - menstrual, phase 2 - follicular, phase 3 - ovulatory, phase 4 - luteal and phase 5 - premenstrual. RESULTS: The results indicated low sensitivity thresholds of 100 μs for non-users of oral contraceptives and 50 μs for oral contraceptive users in phase 5. Low motor thresholds of 20 μs, 50 μs and 100 μs were observed for non-users of oral contraceptives in phase 5, while that of oral contraceptive users was 100 μs. Finally, a low pain threshold of 100 μs was observed in phase 5, but only in the oral contraceptive group. CONCLUSION: Nervous thresholds vary systematically across the phases of the menstrual cycle, with or without the use of oral contraceptives. These variations should be taken into account during research performed in women. .

Mayor frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en linfocitos expuestos o no a mitomicina C, de mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas en comparación con mujeres no obesas del departamento del Cauca, Colombia / High frequency of chromosome aberrations observed in lymphocytes in postmenopausal obese women

Introducción. Los estudios epidemiológicos indican que la obesidad está asociada en el 25 al 30 % con varios tipos de cáncer. Objetivo. Evaluar la frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en linfocitos de mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas y no obesas, mediante la prueba de reto celular (challenge assay) como biomarcador de inestabilidad genómica. Materiales y métodos. Cuarenta mujeres posmenopáusicas fueron incluidas en el estudio (20 obesas y 20 no obesas). Los grupos fueron pareados según edad (± 5 años) y procedencia. Después de la firma voluntaria del consentimiento informado, las mujeres fueron entrevistadas y se les tomó una muestra de 5 ml de sangre periférica. Se establecieron cultivos de linfocitos con tratamiento con mitomicina C y sin él (prueba de reto celular) y, posteriormente, se registró la frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas para cada grupo y tratamiento. Resultados. En general, las mujeres obesas presentaron una mayor frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en comparación con las no obesas. Después de exponer los cultivos celulares a mitomicina C, las mujeres obesas presentaron un incremento en el número de aberraciones cromosómicas totales en comparación con las no obesas (3,74±0,63 Vs. 2,70±0,61; p=0,001). Conclusiones. La mayor frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en los linfocitos de mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas que en no obesas, sugiere diferencias en la capacidad de reparación del ADN, lo cual podría explicar la asociación entre la inestabilidad genómica y la mayor incidencia de cáncer en esta población.

Introduction. Epidemiological studies indicate that obesity is associated with an increased risk of 20-25% with several types of cancer. Objective. The frequency of chromosome aberrations was evaluated in lymphocytes from postmenopausal obese and non-obese women. Materials and methods. Twenty obese and 20 non-obese women, all post-menopause, were recruited. The groups were matched according to age (± 5 years) and place of origin. After signing the consent form, women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and a blood sample (5 ml) was drawn into vacutainer tubes. From each sample, lymphocyte cell cultures were established with and without mitomycin C (challenge assay). Afterwards, the frequency of chromosome aberrations were recorded for each group and treatment. Data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS, v. 14.0. Results. Obese women had a higher frequency of chromosome aberrations when compared with non-obese women. After exposing the cell cultures to mitomycin C, obese women presented an increase in the number of total chromosome aberrations in comparison to non-obese women (3.7± 0.6 vs. 2.70±0.6; p=0.001). Conclusions. The higher frequency of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes from postmenopausal obese women compared to non-obese women suggested differences in the DNA repair capacity. This may indicate an association between genomic instability and the higher incidence of cancer in this population.

Saliva: importancia diagnóstica y su rol en el monitoreo de fármacos y hormonas / Saliva: diagnostic relevance and its role in drugs and hormones monitoring

En los últimos años, la saliva humana, gracias al aporte de la sialoquímica, ha cobrado especial importancia por tratarse de un fluido de podría -potencialmente- sustituir a la sangre, no sólo en la identificación de patologías bucales, sino también de las sistémicas. Una extensa lista de fármacos y de hormonas de diversa naturaleza química han sido detectadas, estableciéndose en muchos casos una concentración similar a la del plasma sanguíneo. Esto permitiría, además, considerar a la saliva como otro elemento auxiliar no sólo del diagnóstico clínico de algunos tipos de enfermedades, sino también en el seguimiento de determinados procesos mórbidos. Desde esta perspectiva, resulta de particular importancia la posibilidad de continuar propiciando la participación activa del profesional odontólogo en el equipo interdisciplinario de salud.

Modulation of spermatozoon acrosome reaction

Spermatozoon acrosome reaction is an exocytotic event of the utmost importance for the development of mammalian fertilisation. Current evidence shows that the triggering of the acrosome reaction (AR) could be regulated by the action of diverse compounds, namely, metabolites, neurotransmitters and hormones. The aim of the present review is to describe the modulating effects of several compounds that have been classified as inductors or inhibitors of acrosome reaction. Among AR inductors, it is necessary to mention progesterone, angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide, cathecolamines, insulin, leptin, relaxin and other hormones. Regarding the inhibitors, oestradiol and epidermal growth factor are among the substances that retard AR. It is worth mentioning that gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter known to be an inhibitor in the central nervous system, has been shown to induce AR. The multiple hormones located in the fluids of the female reproductive tract are also likely to act as subtle regulators of AR, constituting a fundamental aspect for the development of successful fertilisation. Finally, it is necessary to emphasise that the study of regulation exerted by hormones and other compounds on AR is essential for further understanding of mammalian reproductive biology, especially spermatozoon physiology.

Terapia nutricional em crianças e adolescentes com cirrose: uma visão atual / Nutritional therapy in children and adolescents with cirrhosis: current status

A anorexia e o hipermetabolismo são aspectos clínicos importantes em crianças com cirrose. Embora muitas das complicações da cirrose sejam semelhantes àquelas encontradas em adultos, a etiologia e a história natural da progressão da doença e o tratamento clínico em pacientes pediátricos podem ser significativamente diferentes. As alterações metabólicas da doença hepática crônica agravada pela anorexia e desnutrição podem ter implicações negativas no crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil. Crianças com cirrose de evolução progressiva são frequentemente desnutridas e, no entanto, os métodos comumente empregados para avaliação nutricional têm uso limitado nestes pacientes. Mesmo que a importância do estado nutricional sobre o prognóstico destes pacientes seja clara, poucos estudos sobre a terapia nutricional nas hepatopatias da infância têm sido realizados. A avaliação nutricional em crianças com cirrose hepática deve incluir uma completa história clínica e dietética, medidas antropométricas e parâmetros laboratoriais. A recomendação nutricional na cirrose infantil pode variar de acordo com o estado nutricional, idade e quadro clínico. Como a doença hepática crônica em crianças pode impactar significativamente sobre o estado nutricional e consequentemente no crescimento e desenvolvimento, o objetivo deste artigo é revisar os aspectos clínicos e fisiopatológicos envolvidos no diagnóstico e manejo nutricional da cirrose hepática em pacientes pediátricos.

Anorexia and hypermetabolism are disorders of paramount importance in children with cirrhosis. Although many complications caused by cirrhosis in children are similar to those found in adults, the etiologic spectrum and natural history of this disease progression and its clinical management in pediatric patients may be significantly different. The metabolic changes caused by chronic liver disease aggravated by anorexia and malnutrition can affect child growth and development. Malnutrition is common in children with cirrhosis and the methods commonly used for their nutritional assessment are limited. Although the importance of the nutritional status on the prognosis of these patients is clear, there are few studies about nutritional therapy in children with cirrhosis. Nutritional assessment in children with liver cirrhosis should include full clinical and nutritional history, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters. The nutritional recommendation for cirrhosis in children may vary depending on age and nutritional and clinical status. Because chronic liver disease in children may have a significant impact on nutritional status, growth, and development, the objective of this study is to review the clinical and pathophysiological aspects involved in the diagnosis and nutritional management of liver cirrhosis in children.

Hipertensão arterial resistente: papel da aldosterona e o efeito de seu antagonista espironolactona no remodelamento cardiovascular e função endotelial / Resistant hypertension aldosterone role and its antagonist effect spironolactone in cardiovascular remodeling and endothelial function

Segundo o VII JNC e V Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertensão Arterial, a hipertensão arterial resistente (HAR) é definida como sendo a elevação persistente dos níveis pressóricos (= 140/90 mmHg) a despeito de tratamento farmacológico tríplice, pleno, incluindo diuréticos, em pacientes com boa adesão e sem causas secundárias de hipertensão arterial ou pseudo-hipertensão. O excesso ou escape de aldosterona pode ocorrer após tratamento crônico com IECA, BRA ou diuréticos tiazídicos, comumente utilizados nestes pacientes ou por hiperaldosteronismo primário não diagnosticado. A espironolactona tem sido apontada como fármaco indispensável no tratamento de HAR por melhorar os níveis pressóricos, mas pouco se sabe sobre a pressão arterial (PA), função endotelial e remodelamento cardiovascular avaliados simultaneamente após sua utilização. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a pressão arterial, a função endotelial, o remodelamento cardiovascular e a função diastólica em hipertensos refratários antes e após a utilização de antagonista de aldosterona, espironolactona, em associação ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo otimizado e individualizado em centro de referência em HAR por 6 meses. Após triagem e adesão rigorosa, 71 pacientes encaminhados ao nosso serviço como hipertensos resistentes foram seqüencialmente incluídos no estudo, após avaliação e caracterização como hipertensos resistentes (HAR, n=39) ou hipertensos...

According to JOINT VII and V Brazilian Guidelines of Hypertension, resistant hypertension (RH) is defined, as a persistent elevation of blood pressure (= 140/90 mmHg) despite the use of a triple drug regimen at maximal doses including a diuretic, in patients with good compliance and without secondary causes of hypertension or pseudo-hypertension. Aldosterone excess or "escape" can occur after chronic treatment with ACEI, ARB or thiazide-type diuretics, commonly used by these patients or in undiagnosed primary aldosteronism. Spironolactone is thought to be an essential drug in RH treatment because it improves blood pressure, but there are few available data about blood pressure, endothelial function and cardiovascular remodeling evaluated simultaneously with its use. The aim of this study was to assess blood pressure, endothelial function, cardiovascular remodeling and diastolic function in...

La cascada de neurotransmisores en la función sexual -Esquema original / The neurotransmitter cascade in sexual function –original scheme

El esquema La Cascada de Neurotransmisores es un diseño original que permite comprender la serie y conjunto de Neurotransmisores que intervienen en la Respuesta Sexual Humana. El esquema ha sido empleado por el autor en la cátedra de Sexología y ha sido presentada en diversos congresos en la últimadécada. Tiene por objeto mostrar la actividad bioquímica cerebral y periférica, supra e infraespinal en la que intervienen los diversos neurotramisores en los órganos blanco que intervienen en las Fases de Deseo, Excitación y Orgasmo de la Respuesta Sexual Humana, fases que William Masters y Virginia Jonsonesquematizaron en su libro sobre La Respuesta Sexual Humana en el que consignaron los cambios físicos que se operan en el área genital y corporal en cada una de las Fases, mas no los bioquímicos que por la época en que iniciaron su trabajo en 1953 y luego publicaron en 1966 no se conocían. El objetivo del Esquema La Cascada de Neurotransmisores es el de presentar una propuesta que explique de manera coordinada en forma esquemática los diversos elementos bioquímicos que intervienen en la Respuesta Sexual, esquema de utilidad para la comprensión de la función sexual y de las disfunciones sexuales y que además tiene aplicabilidad para una nueva perspectiva de la Clasificación de las Disfunciones Sexuales.

Fetal development of regulatory mechanisms for body fluid homeostasis

The balance of body fluids is critical to health and the development of diseases. Although quite a few review papers have shown that several mechanisms, including hormonal and behavioral regulation, play an important role in body fluid homeostasis in adults, there is limited information on the development of regulatory mechanisms for fetal body fluid balance. Hormonal, renal, and behavioral control of body fluids function to some extent in utero. Hormonal mechanisms including the renin-angiotensin system, aldosterone, and vasopressin are involved in modifying fetal renal excretion, reabsorption of sodium and water, and regulation of vascular volume. In utero behavioral changes, such as fetal swallowing, have been suggested to be early functional development in response to dipsogens. Since diseases, such as hypertension, can be traced to fetal origin, it is important to understand the development of fetal regulatory mechanisms for body fluid homeostasis in this early stage of life. This review focuses on fetal hormonal, behavioral, and renal development related to regulation of body fluids in utero.

Hormones, nevi, and melanoma: an approach to the patient

For many years, clinicians have been concerned about a potential adverse effect of pregnancy-associated hormones and exogenous hormones on melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. Today, these issues are more significant as women have delayed childbearing into their 30's and 40's, and the likelihood of diagnosis with melanoma during pregnancy is enhanced. More recent clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory studies have shed some light on the relationship among hormones, nevi, and melanoma in pregnancy.

Las hormonas esteroides y el páncreas: Un nuevo paradigma / Steroid hormones and pancreas: A new paradigm

The relation between steroid hormones and pancreatic function has been poorly discussed and not very well understood. In general, there is a lack of recognition among the scientific community about the importance of steroids in pancreatic function (current paradigm). In the present article we present basic, as well as clinic and epidemiologic data that demonstrate steroid synthesis and steroid biotransformation by pancreatic tissue, how exocrine and endocrine functions are modulated by steroids, the gender specific frequency and behavior of some tumors and the use of synthetic steroids and steroid action antagonists as therapeutic agents. With the available information it is possible to establish that: 1. Pancreatic tissue synthesize and transform steroid hormones. 2. Pancreatic tissue respond to steroid hormones and express steroid specific receptor molecules. 3. Some endocrine functions such as insulin synthesis and release are modulated by steroids. 4. Tumor growth is modulated by steroids and anti-steroid drugs. This set of data creates a new paradigm for the holistic study of pancreas and opens new research fields. The application of this new paradigm might result in an increase in the knowledge of pancreatic physiology, in the design of new and better diagnostic methods and eventually in the design of more effective medical treatments for the pancreatic cancers.

La relación de las hormonas esteroides con el páncreas ha sido muy poco explorada y comprendida y no se concede en general que exista una interacción relevante entre su función y los esteroides endógenos o exógenos (paradigma actual). En esta revisión se presentan datos de modelos experimentales y de estudios clínicos y epidemiológicos que demuestran que existe una clara relación entre la biotransformación y el efecto de las hormonas esteroides y la fisiopatología del páncreas. Con la información disponible se puede establecer que: 1. El páncreas es un órgano que sintetiza y transforma hormonas esteroides. 2. Que expresa receptores específicos para este tipo de substancias. 3. Que algunas de sus funciones como la síntesis y liberación de la insulina pueden ser modulados por la acción de esteroides gonadales. 4. Que el crecimiento tumoral puede ser inducido o frenado por la acción de esteroides y antiesteroides. Estas relaciones establecen un nuevo paradigma en el estudio de la fisiopatología del páncreas y abren nuevas líneas de investigación para el avance del conocimiento y su eventual aplicación clínica.

Effect of juvenile hormone III on the ultrastructure of the corpora allata in Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera,. Apidae, Meliponýný)

Changes in hormonal levels can produce alternative phenotypes. Juvenile hormone III plays an importantrole in the regulation of metamorphosis, caste determination and age in bees. In this work, we examined theultrastructure of corpora allata cells from stingless bees (Melipona quadrifasciata) treated with juvenilehormone during development. The corpora allata cells of M. quadrifasciata queens showed greater activitythan those of workers. The topical application of juvenile hormone III altered the cellular ultrastructureand either delayed development (as shown by fewer mitochondria and greater chromatin condensation) orenhanced development (looser chromatin and numerous mitochondria) when compared to untreated (control)bees. Our results show that corpora allata cells differ in their ultrastructural characteristics and that thecessation of juvenile hormone production by these cells in M. quadrifasciata is not synchronous.

Estimulação tátil-cinestésica: uma integração entre pele e sistema endócrino? / Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation: integration between skin and endocrine system?

Apresenta-se uma revisão da literatura sobre os aspectos neuroendócrinos da pele e as conseqüências da estimulação tátil-cinestésica sobre o córtex adrenal. Os artigos foram identificados a partir das bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS, usando as palavras-chave "córtex supra-renal", "pele", "massagem", "lactentes", "glicocorticóide" e "ritmo circadiano". O período pesquisado foi de 1990 a 2003. Foram também consultados artigos de destaque publicados antes desse período. Estudos reconhecem o hipotálamo, a hipófise e a glândula adrenal como órgãos dinâmicos durante o desenvolvimento fetal e neonatal, e que respostas de estresse estão presentes ao nascer. A maioria dos estudos revisados, utilizando a estimulação tátil-cinestésica, seja em humanos ou animais, evidencia a capacidade da pele em metabolizar, coordenar e organizar estímulos externos, procurando manter a homeostase interna e externa, demonstrando a interação entre sistema neuroendócrino e a pele. A estimulação tátil-cinestésica parece ter um efeito sobre a reatividade hormonal, porém essa questão merece uma investigação mais aprofundada.

A literature review on skin neuroendocrine aspects and the consequences of the tactile- kinesthetic stimulation on the adrenal cortex are presented. The articles were identified through MEDLINE and LILACS data bases, using the keywords "suprarenal cortex", "skin", "massage", "infants", "glucocorticoid" and "circadian rhythm". Single articles published between 1990 and 2003 were considered, as well as outstanding ones prior to this period. Studies recognize that the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal gland are dynamic organs during fetal and neonatal development, and that stress responses are active at birth. Most of the studies reviewed, using tactile-kinesthetic stimulation, both in humans and animals, confirm skin's ability to metabolize, coordinate and organize external stimuli, attempting to maintain both external and internal homeostasis, demonstrating an interaction between the neuroendocrine system and tactile stimulation. Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation seems to have an effect on hormonal reactivity, although the issue demands further investigation.

Modulation of brain synaptic plasticity by steroid hormones.

Brain Synaptic plasticity has been studied extensively in the past decade. Alterations in synaptic plasticity are implicated in both normal brain functions and disorders. The molecular events leading to synaptogenesis or neurogenesis are being delineated. Several neurotransmitter receptors may be involved, but direct relation to NMDA receptors and BDNF peptides are suggested. Both genomic and non-genomic actions of steroid hormone on brain neurotransmission have been demonstrated. The direct action of neurosteroids to modulate neurotransmitter receptor binding and responses can be one of the mechanisms in the regulation of brain synaptic plasticity. Several lines of evidence in support of this hypothesis are reviewed in the present article.

A connection between extracellular matrix and hormonal signals during the development of the human fetal adrenal gland

The human adrenal cortex, involved in adaptive responses to stress, body homeostasis and secondary sexual characters, emerges from a tightly regulated development of a zone-specific secretion pattern during fetal life. Its development during fetal life is critical for the well being of pregnancy, the initiation of delivery, and even for an adequate adaptation to extra-uterine life. As early as from the sixth week of pregnancy, the fetal adrenal gland is characterized by a highly proliferative zone at the periphery, a concentric migration accompanied by cell differentiation (cortisol secretion) and apoptosis in the central androgen-secreting fetal zone. After birth, a strong reorganization occurs in the adrenal gland so that it better fulfills the newborn's needs, with aldosterone production in the external zona glomerulosa, cortisol secretion in the zona fasciculata and androgens in the central zona reticularis. In addition to the major hormonal stimuli provided by angiotensin II and adrenocorticotropin, we have tested for some years the hypotheses that such plasticity may be under the control of the extracellular matrix. A growing number of data have been harvested during the last years, in particular about extracellular matrix expression and its putative role in the development of the human adrenal cortex. Laminin, collagen and fibronectin have been shown to play important roles not only in the plasticity of the adrenal cortex, but also in cell responsiveness to hormones, thus clarifying some of the unexplained observations that used to feed controversies.