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How is cortisol production controlled by corticotropin-releasing hormone and ACTH?
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Hormone
Many important physiological functions of vertebrates are controlled by steroid hormones.
Cortisol production is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a feedback system that ensures hormone levels remain within a healthy range.1
The process functions as follows:
- Initiation: The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in response to various internal and external stress factors or as part of a circadian rhythm.21
- Stimulation: CRH travels to the anterior pituitary gland, where it stimulates the synthesis and secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).23
- Cortisol Release: ACTH enters the bloodstream and acts on the adrenal cortex, triggering the production and release of cortisol.31
- Feedback Loop: The system is self-regulating. Rising serum cortisol concentrations inhibit the further secretion of both CRH and ACTH. Conversely, when cortisol levels drop, the secretion of CRH and ACTH increases to restore balance.21
During periods of severe stress, this feedback inhibition is temporarily overridden, allowing for the sustained production of cortisol until the stressor subsides.1