Which hormones are responsible for regulating the stress response?

The regulation of the stress response primarily involves corticosteroids, particularly cortisol, which is often referred to as the "stress hormone." When an individual faces a stressful situation, the body activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, prompting the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This hormone plays a crucial role in managing how the body responds to stress.

Cortisol helps to mobilize energy stores, enhances the body's ability to cope with stress, and modulates various bodily functions, including immune response, metabolism, and blood pressure. Its release is part of the body’s adaptive response, ensuring that sufficient glucose is available for energy during times of stress, and it helps to restore balance once the stressor has passed.

The other options do not primarily function in regulating the stress response. Growth hormones are involved in growth and development, catecholamines (such as adrenaline) do play a role in the immediate fight-or-flight response but are not as central to the prolonged regulation of stress responses as corticosteroids, and progesterones are primarily linked to reproductive functions. Thus, corticosteroids are correctly identified as key players in the regulation of the stress response.