Sharks produce cortisol to regulate glucose under stress, researchers discover

Spiny dogfish shark. File Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia

For decades, scientists believed sharks were unique among vertebrates lacking in cortisol, relying instead on a distinct hormone called 1a-hydroxycorticosterone.

However, a new study on North Pacific spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) has overturned this assumption.

Researchers discovered that under specific environmental stresses - such as recovering from low salinity levels - sharks produce cortisol.

The hormone plays a crucial role in regulating glucose levels, offering groundbreaking insights into the evolution of vertebrate stress responses.

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