Function and Synthesis of Cortisol – Imaluop

Hi, now we are going to discuss endocrine secretion, cortisol along with function and synthesis of cortisol, a secretion from the adrenal cortex. 

Basic Introduction About Cortisol: 

Chemically cortisol is a steroid hormone which regulates different types of metabolism in our body and they have different functions in our immune system. When we pass through stress conditions cortisol helps to fight against the stress. During stress conditions the changes in some activities in our body like increase in heart rate and increase in blood pressure which helps to combat with the stress and for this reason cortisol is known as “stress hormone”. 

In adrenal cortex endocrine secretion, cortisol is very important hormone which utilise the nutrients during emergency stress conditions to handle the emergency situation and help to meet more energy and due to this high amount of oxygen also require and the heart rate increase significantly, blood sugar levels become high during stress conditions. 

Function of Cortisol Hormone: 

Handle Stress Conditions: 

During stress conditions our body reaches a high alert stage and a sufficient amount of energy is required to handle an emergency situation and cortisol is known as a stress hormone, it brings about some changes which are very helpful, for example they increase the blood sugar levels, increase the heart rate and increase the blood pressure.

During stress conditions the cortisol reduces the activities which are not important during emergency conditions, for example the cortisol reduces the secretion of digestive glands, reduces the reproductive functionality, and suppresses the immune response temporarily.

Help in Milk Production in Mother: 

Cortisol is also known for increasing the milk production in mothers which is very important for breastfeeding and cortisol helps to maintain the fluid balance in our body. 

Act As Anti Inflammatory Chemical: 

The over functionality of our immune system sometimes can lead to excessive inflammatory responses but the cortisol is known for suppression of immune response and acts as antiinflammatory agents. 

Help During Pregnancy: 

Cortisol causes some changes which are very useful for pregnant women, the cortisol relaxes the pelvic ligament which is very useful during pregnancy, it helps to contract in uterine muscle. 

Synthesis of Cortisol: 

Endocrine secretions are not present in blood always but when required they are synthesized in appropriate amount, for example during stress conditions and during childbirth in women cortisol required in high demand and then they synthesized in large amount and now we are going to different stages in synthesis of cortisol. 

Production of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone: 

When we suffer from stress conditions our brain understands the demand of cortisol and gives instructions to the hypothalamus to release Corticotropin Releasing Hormone or CRH. 

Releasing of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone: 

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete the adrenocorticotropic hormone or ACTH which mixes with the blood and reaches its target organ adrenal glands. 

Releasing of Cortisol: 

The Adrenocorticotropic Hormone acts on the cortex tissue in adrenal glands and stimulates the secretion of cortisol which mixes in blood and then affects different organ systems. 

Issues Related to High Level of Cortisol: 

Any type of endocrine secretion is not good when it is secreted at a very high amount which is more than its optimum level and now we will focus on the condition when the blood cortisol level is much higher than its normal value. Prolonged stress conditions can cause high cortisol secretion which can cause suppression in immune response, mood swings, high blood pressure, unexplained weight gain. 

Issues Related to Low Level of Cortisol: 

If the cortisol levels remain low for a long time then it can cause different types of health issues like autoimmune disorders, fatigue, mood swings, muscle weakness. 

Read More: Anti-Mullerian Hormone General Overview