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Hormone Receptor Downregulation

Meaning

Hormone Receptor Downregulation is a fundamental physiological process where the number of specific hormone receptors expressed on the surface or within a target cell decreases in response to chronically elevated levels of the corresponding hormone. This adaptive mechanism serves as a protective measure to prevent overstimulation of the cell and maintain cellular sensitivity within a functional range. Clinically, this phenomenon explains why prolonged, high-dose exposure to exogenous hormones can paradoxically lead to a diminished biological effect over time.