Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

Adrenal hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and orchestrating responses to stress, showcasing the intricate functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Resting energetic adaptations over the course of a 10-month multidisciplinary weight loss intervention in adolescents with obesity: the POWELL-2 project.

Clinical nutrition ESPEN·2026

Same author

Impact of high intensity physical activity compared to routine counseling on renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for kidney disease - the ACTIDIANE randomized controlled trial.

Diabetes & metabolism·2026

Same author

Energetic adaptations in response to moderate calorie restriction-induced weight loss in normal-weight adults.

Physiology & behavior·2026

Same author

Energy metabolism in resting and postprandial states might not be influenced by menopausal stage in women.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD·2026

Same author

Prevention of frailty in the elderly: an expert-based evaluation of measures proposed by artificial intelligence.

Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Low-Load Blood-Flow Restricted Resistance Training Improves Finger Flexor Muscle Function in Experienced Climbers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Published on: April 25, 2016

Cortisol and GH: odd and controversial ideas.

Martine Duclos¹, Michel Guinot, Yves Le Bouc

¹CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital G.Montpied, Service de Médecine du Sport et d'Explorations Fonctionnelles, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63003 France. mduclos@chu-clermontferrand.fr

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition Et Metabolisme

|December 7, 2007

Summary

Exercise impacts the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and growth hormone (GH) secretion. Understanding these hormonal responses to exercise is crucial for detecting doping and preventing health issues.

More Related Videos

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System

Published on: September 10, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Published on: April 25, 2016

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System

Published on: September 10, 2013

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Exercise Physiology
Sports Science

Background:

Exercise activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1) axis.
Prolonged alterations in cortisol and GH secretion due to exercise can negatively impact health.
The relationship between exercise training and these hormonal axes is complex and debated.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the adaptation and maladaptation of the HPA axis to exercise training and overtraining.
To highlight limitations in current methods for assessing hormonal activity related to exercise.
To discuss the implications for detecting doping and understanding health consequences.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on exercise physiology and endocrinology.
Analysis of studies investigating HPA axis and GH/IGF-1 responses to exercise.
Discussion of overtraining syndrome and hormonal imbalances.

Main Results:

Exercise elicits physiological responses involving the HPA and GH/IGF-1 axes.
Overtraining can lead to detrimental hormonal dysregulation.
Current measurement techniques for hormonal activity profiling have limitations.

Conclusions:

Fine-tuning of hormonal axes aims for homeostasis, tolerating only limited disruption.
Understanding exercise-induced hormonal changes is vital for anti-doping efforts.
Knowledge of cortisol and GH responses aids in combating glucocorticoid and GH doping and their adverse effects.