ACTH has what effect on aldosterone production?

ACTH has what effect on aldosterone production?

• A. Strongly stimulates aldosterone production
• B. Directly inhibits aldosterone production
• C. Has little effect on aldosterone; aldosterone mainly regulated by RAAS
• D. Replaces RAAS function

Answer: (C)

Aldosterone production is driven mainly by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and plasma potassium, not by ACTH. ACTH mainly stimulates cortisol production in the zona fasciculata, with only a minor, sometimes transient, effect on aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa. In normal physiology, sustained aldosterone secretion rises in response to angiotensin II and high potassium, which act directly on the adrenal cortex. So the best answer is that ACTH has little effect on aldosterone; aldosterone is mainly regulated by RAAS.

Aldosterone production is driven mainly by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and plasma potassium, not by ACTH. ACTH mainly stimulates cortisol production in the zona fasciculata, with only a minor, sometimes transient, effect on aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa. In normal physiology, sustained aldosterone secretion rises in response to angiotensin II and high potassium, which act directly on the adrenal cortex. So the best answer is that ACTH has little effect on aldosterone; aldosterone is mainly regulated by RAAS.