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Substrate Shift Steroidogenesis

Meaning

A dynamic, adaptive physiological response within the adrenal glands or gonads where the primary precursor molecule used for steroid hormone synthesis is altered, often in response to chronic stress or nutrient availability. Steroidogenesis typically begins with cholesterol, but a “shift” occurs when metabolic or enzymatic constraints force the pathway to prioritize one hormone class, such as cortisol, at the expense of others, like DHEA or sex steroids. This shift is a key concept in understanding the long-term hormonal consequences of chronic HPA axis activation. It is a fundamental survival mechanism.