Answer to Question #214679 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for Sania

Question

Explain how glucocorticoid secretion varies during a 24-hour period.

Answer 1

The endogenous secretion of glucocorticoids is normally characterized by a prominent and robust circadian (around 24 hours) oscillation, with a daily peak around the time of the habitual sleep-wake transition and minimal levels in the evening and early part of the night.