Which one of the following is NOT an anterior pituitary hormone:

a) Hormonal: This refers to the stimulation of one endocrine gland by hormones released from another gland. GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release LH/FSH, which then stimulate the ovaries to secrete estrogen. Thus, this is hormonal control.

b) Neural: Neural stimulation involves direct innervation (e.g., adrenal medulla stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system), which does not apply here.

c) Negative Feedback: This refers to a regulatory mechanism, not the initial cause of estrogen secretion. Estrogen can negatively feedback on GnRH, but that’s not the mechanism being asked.

d) Humoral: Humoral stimuli refer to changes in blood levels of ions or nutrients (e.g., calcium regulating PTH), not hormones.

a) Glucocorticoids: The zona fasciculata is the middle layer of the adrenal cortex. It primarily secretes glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation.

b) Mineralocorticoids: Mineralocorticoids like aldosterone are produced in the zona glomerulosa, the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex.

c) Catecholamines: Catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine) are produced in the adrenal medulla, not the cortex.

d) Androgens: Androgens (e.g., DHEA) are produced in the zona reticularis, the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex.

e) Epinephrine: Epinephrine is a catecholamine produced in the adrenal medulla. It is not produced in any zone of the adrenal cortex, including the zona fasciculata.