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Hormonal Pathway Responsiveness

Meaning

Hormonal pathway responsiveness defines the dynamic capacity of a target tissue or cell to effectively detect, transduce, and generate a biological effect in proportion to a specific hormonal signal. This is a measure of the sensitivity and efficacy of the entire signaling cascade, extending beyond simple circulating hormone concentrations. Optimal responsiveness is crucial for maintaining systemic homeostasis and is often diminished in conditions like insulin resistance or androgen resistance, even when hormone levels appear adequate. Clinical interventions frequently aim to restore or enhance this cellular sensitivity rather than merely increasing hormone supply.