Figure 7.

Overview of affected steroidogenic pathways in ex vivo cultured human fetal adrenals cultured following DEX-treatment and subsequent ACTH-stimulation. Schematic overview summarizing the effects of treatment with DEX (10 µM) for 10 days followed by ACTH (1 nM) for 4 days on HFA tissue cultured ex vivo (Experimental setup B) on classic HFA steroidogenesis. Detailed results are presented in Figure 6 . Steroid intermediates and hormones measured in this study are shown with chemical structures. Significant changes in secreted steroid levels are indicated by colored boxes. Significantly affected enzyme activities are indicated by colored circles, red: significant decrease, green: significant increase. The dotted arrow indicate reaction with low substrate affinity. DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate.