Glucocorticoids and "Stress" Are Not Synonymous.

Area of Science:

• Comparative endocrinology
• Environmental endocrinology
• Vertebrate physiology

Background:

• Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol, corticosterone) are increasingly referred to as "stress hormones" in scientific literature.
• While glucocorticoid levels rise during stress, their primary functions extend beyond stress response.
• These hormones are only one part of a larger physiological and behavioral reaction to stressors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the problematic and misleading use of the term "stress hormone" in scientific discourse.
• To highlight the inaccuracies of equating glucocorticoid measurement or manipulation with stress response assessment.
• To recommend clearer terminology and experimental design in endocrine research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and commentary on existing research practices.
• Analysis of the functional roles of glucocorticoids in vertebrate animals.
• Discussion of the implications of using functional names for hormones.

Main Results:

• The phrase "stress hormone" is an oversimplification that can obscure the broader functions of glucocorticoids.
• Measuring glucocorticoids alone does not equate to measuring a stress response.
• Manipulating glucocorticoids is not the same as inducing a stressor.

Conclusions:

• Avoid using functional names like "stress hormone" for glucocorticoids to prevent misinterpretation.
• Distinguish clearly between glucocorticoids, stressors, and the stress response in research.
• Implement precise language and experimental designs to accurately represent endocrine functions and stress physiology.