The Influence of Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism on Morphogenesis and Histophysiology of Adrenal Glands

Survey of literature concerning the influence of thyroid hormones imbalance on morphogenesis and histophysiology of adrenal glands. Elevated levels of thyroid hormones induce an increase in the adrenal cortex and subsequent hypercorticosteronemia due to stimulatory effect of thyroxine on the proliferation rate of adrenocorticocytes accompanied with increased density of vascular bed and increased secretion of catecholamines by chromaffine cells. Hypothyroidism induce significant decrease of adrenal cortex, with subsequent decrease of corticosteron production. Maternal hypothyroidism is associated with the delay in maturation of progeny adrenal glands. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism claim for alterations in adrenal cells ultrastructure.