What steroid hormone is released by the adrenal gland in response to long-term stress?

Cortisol is the steroid hormone released by the adrenal gland during prolonged stress. When the body encounters long-term stressors, the hypothalamus initiates a response that stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone, in turn, signals the adrenal cortex to produce and release cortisol.

Cortisol plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including metabolism regulation, immune response suppression, and maintaining blood sugar levels. It helps the body manage stress by providing the necessary energy and resources for handling prolonged challenges, thereby supporting overall survival.

Testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone are also steroid hormones; however, they are primarily involved in reproductive functions rather than the body's response to stress. While they might have some indirect effects related to stress, they do not play the primary role of mediating the long-term stress response like cortisol does.