What is CRH, and what is its function?

CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) is a hypothalamic hormone critical for human physiology. Although CRH itself does not directly regulate gonadal function, it plays a pivotal role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. During stress—such as injury, poisoning, burns, or physical threat—CRH secretion increases, triggering a cascade of adaptive, alert-type physiological responses throughout the body. Specifically, CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn promotes cortisol release from the adrenal cortex, thereby enhancing the body’s resistance to stress. Clinically, CRH-mediated cortisol elevation exerts potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.