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Hormonal Permissiveness

Meaning

Hormonal Permissiveness is an endocrinological concept describing a situation where one hormone must be present at adequate levels for a second hormone to exert its full biological effect on a target cell or tissue. The first, or permissive, hormone does not directly initiate the action but rather upregulates the target cell’s receptors for the second hormone or provides essential metabolic support. This phenomenon underscores the profound interconnectedness of the endocrine system, where the efficacy of one signaling pathway is conditional upon the foundational support provided by others. Clinical practice often leverages this principle to enhance therapeutic outcomes.