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Hormonal Oscillations

Meaning

Hormonal oscillations refer to the regular, cyclical, and often rhythmic fluctuations in the concentration of various hormones within the circulatory system and target tissues. These oscillations occur across different timescales, including ultradian (less than 24 hours, e.g., pulsatile GnRH release), circadian (24 hours, e.g., cortisol rhythm), and infradian (longer than 24 hours, e.g., the menstrual cycle). Maintaining the appropriate frequency, amplitude, and phase of these oscillations is critical for optimal physiological function and metabolic health. Disruptions in these rhythms are often early indicators of endocrine dysfunction and disease.