The anterior pituitary – Produces and releases its own hormones (under the regulation of hormones made by the hypothalamus). The posterior pituitary – Stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus. Similarly, any process leading to a low FSH level also simultaneously results in a low LH level, except in rare instances of isolated FSH deficiency or isolated LH deficiency in fertile eunuch syndrome.
Primary gonadal failure in men and women leads to high levels of FSH and LH, except in selective destruction of testicular tubules with subsequent elevation of only FSH, as in Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. High-dose testosterone or estrogen therapy suppresses FSH and LH. Inhibin also has a negative feedback on FSH selectively. Prolactin-inhibiting factors – includes dopamineįSH and LH bind to receptors in the testis and ovary and regulate gonadal function by promoting sex steroid production and gametogenesis.įSH and LH secretion are affected by a negative feedback from sex steroids. Stimulates milk production in the mammary glands. Prolactin-releasing factors – include serotonin, acetylcholine, opiates, and estrogens Stimulates thyroid gland to make T4 and T3 In men, LH stimulates testosterone production from the interstitial cells of the testes (Leydig cells). LH also stimulates estrogen and progesterone production from the ovary. The anterior pituitary hormones are produced by five different endocrine cell types (somatotropes, gonadotropes. In women, a surge of LH in the mid-menstrual cycle stimulates ovulation and continued LH secretion subsequently stimulates conversion of the ovulated ovarian follicles into the corpus luteum which produces progesterone. The pituitary hormones are special chemical messengers that are produced by the pituitary gland, also known as 'the master gland of the body.' The hormones are peptides or glycoproteins in nature and play a vital role in regulating the functions of other endocrine glands. In Males: Stimulates testicular growth and production of sperm In Females: Stimulates growth/development of the ovarian follicles Also, promotes the growth of cartilage and bone.
Promotes movement of amino acids into cells and incorporation of these amino acids into proteins, promoting overall tissue and organ growth. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) – alternate product of POMC gene Stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids like cortisol On each side of the pituitary is the cavernous sinus which is a venous channel through which runs the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain, and important nerves that control eye movements and facial sensation.īecause of the proximity of the pituitary to these major intracranial nerves and blood vessels, and the vital hormonal control the pituitary provides, disorders of the pituitary can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, both hormonal and neurological.Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) -ACTH is product of POMC gene Directly above the pituitary are the optic nerves and the optic chiasm as they project to the eyes. The pituitary is divided into a larger anterior region (adenohypophysis) and smaller posterior region (neurohypophysis). The pituitary gland is regulated by a brain region called the hypothalamus which is connected to the pituitary gland by a thin delicate vascular connection called the pituitary stalk or infundibulum. This small, bean-shaped gland is located below the brain in the skull base, in an area called the sella turcica. These substances when released by the pituitary into the bloodstream have a dramatic and broad range of effects on growth and development, sexuality and reproductive function, metabolism, the response to stress and overall quality of life. Weighing less than one gram and measuring a centimeter in width, the pituitary is often called the “master gland” since it regulates the secretion of the body’s hormones. The Pituitary Gland is at the anatomical and functional crossroads of the brain, mind and body. Why is the pituitary gland called the master gland?