Functions of the Three Corticosteroids

What are the functions of the 3 corticosteroids?

The Adrenal Cortex produces three different kinds of corticosteroids:

Mineralocorticoids --- responsible for salt and water homeostasis. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid that can increase sodium reabsorption in the nephron, and can lead to increase in blood pressure. Aldosterone can also increase Potassium excretion through kidney.

Glucocorticoids --- regulates glucose levels, they also affect protein metabolism. The glucocorticoid most likely to appear on the MCAT is Cortisol which can raise blood glucose level by increasing gluconeogenesis and decreasing protein synthesis.

Cortical sex hormones ---Just as it sounds, cortical sex hormones (androgen and estrogen) affects the maturation of sex organs. A female fetus born with ambiguous or masculinized genital can be due to the presence of excess androgen.

Mnemonics:

3S's

• Salt (mineralocorticoids)
• Sugar (glucocorticoids)
• Sex (cortical sex hormones)