corticosterone

noun

cor·​ti·​co·​ste·​rone ˌkȯr-tə-ˈkä-stə-ˌrōn 

-ti-kō-stə-ˈrōn;

ˌkȯr-ti-kō-ˈstir-ˌōn,

-ˈster-

: a colorless crystalline corticosteroid C₂₁H₃₀O₄ that is important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism

Examples of corticosterone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The frazzled fellows had elevated blood levels of the stress hormone corticosterone, which softened the little guys’ pain response. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2024

The main hormone involved in the stress response – cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents, both abbreviated to CORT – is primarily a metabolic hormone, meaning that increasing blood levels of these hormones during stressful conditions results in more energy mobilized from fat stores. —Natalie C. Tronson, The Conversation, 24 June 2024

In one animal research, researchers discovered that kratom lowers corticosterone levels in mice. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022

Depression is linked with an increase in corticosterone levels. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022

Eating corticosterone with their birdseed affected different males differently. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2016

Their blood also contained around three times as much corticosterone, a hormone produced in stressful situations. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2011

For example, if one nestling is given corticosterone, did all its siblings’ babbling increase? —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 June 2022

Do some parrot siblings in the birth order benefit more than others from additional corticosterone? —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

corticosterone

noun

cor·​ti·​co·​ste·​rone ˌkȯrt-ə-ˈkäs-tə-ˌrōn, -i-kō-stə-ˈ; ˌkȯrt-i-kō-ˈsti(ə)r-ˌōn, -ˈste(ə)r- 

: a colorless crystalline corticosteroid C₂₁H₃₀O₄ of the adrenal cortex that is important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism