The main adrenal androgens are androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 11b-hydroxyandrostenedione, and DHEA-sulphate. The possible control mechanisms involved in the secretion of these androgens are shown in Fig. 7.8. Although ACTH is capable of stimulating adrenal androgen secretion, there are several well-documented situations in which secretion of cortisol and androgen appears to be dissociated. This has resulted in the concept of the existence of an additional factor, adrenal androgen-stimulating hormone (AASH ΓÇô as yet undefined), which can specifically stimulate adrenal androgen secretion.
