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Stress Axis Cross Talk

Meaning

Stress Axis Cross Talk describes the reciprocal and interdependent molecular and functional communication between the body’s primary stress response systems, particularly the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and other endocrine axes, such as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) axes. This phenomenon illustrates how chronic activation of the HPA axis can suppress reproductive and metabolic function as a resource-conservation strategy. Understanding this cross talk is essential for a holistic clinical approach to hormonal imbalances, as it reveals the systemic cost of chronic stress.