Hormones synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary and their

effects
HORMONE SYNTHESIZED STIMULATED INHIBITED TARGET EFFECT
BY BY BY ORGAN
Growth-
GROWTH hormone
GHIH and Stimulates IGF-1 and
HORMONE Somatotrophs releasing Liver
IGF-1 opposes insulin
(GH) hormone
(GHRH)
THYROID- Thyrotrophin
STIMULATING -releasing Thyroid Stimulates thyroxine
Thyrotrophs T3
HORMONE hormone gland release
(TSH) (TRH)
ADRENOCOR Corticotrophi
Stimulates
TICOTROPHIC n-releasing Glucocorticoi Adrenal
Corticotrophs glucocorticoids and
HORMONE hormone ds cortex
androgen release
(ACTH) (CRH)
LUTEINIZING
HORMONE Gonadotrop
(LH) + hin-releasing
Prolactin, sex Reproductive Release of sex
FOLLICLE- Gonadotrophs hormone
steroids organs steroids
STIMULATING (GnRH), sex
HORMONE steroids
(FSH)
Prolactin-
releasing
factors (PRF) Mammary
Promotes growth of
and glands and
PROLACTIN Lactotrophs Dopamine these organs and
thyrotrophin reproductive
initiates lactation
-releasing organs
hormone
(TRH)
MELANOCYTE
- Stimulates melanin
Melanocytes
STIMULATING Corticotrophs - - synthesis in fetus and
in skin
HORMONE during pregnancy
(MSH)
BETA- May be involved in
Corticotrophs - - Unknown
ENDORPHIN pain control
Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and their effects on the
secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones
TARGET CELLS IN THE EFFECTS OF THE
HORMONE ANTERIOR PITUITARY ANTERIOR PITUITARY
GLAND GLAND

Growth-hormone
releasing hormone Somatotrophs ↑ GH release
(GHRH)

Growth-hormone
inhibiiting hormone Somatotrophs and
↓ GH and TSH release
(GHIH also called thyrotrophs
somatostatin)

Corticotrophin-
releasing hormone Corticotrophs ↓ ACTH release
(CRH)

Gonadotrophin-
releasing hormone Gonadotrophs ↑ LH and FSH release
(GnRH)

Thyrotrophin-releasing Thyrotrophs and ↑TSH and prolactin

hormone (TRH) lactotrophs release

Prolactin-releasing
Lactotrophs ↑ Prolactin release
factors (PRF)

Dopamine (prolactin-
Lactotrophs ↑ Prolactin release
inhibiting hormone)
Hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary and their effects

HORMONE SYNTHESIZED STIMULATE INHIBITED BY TARGET EFFECT

BY D BY ORGAN
Antidiuretic Supraoptic Raised Lowered Kidney Increases
hormone vasopressinergic osmolarity; osmolarity, the
(ADH) neurons low blood alcohol permeabilit
volume caffeine, y of the
glucocorticoids collecting
, ANF duct to
reabsorb
water
Oxytocin Paraventricular Stretch Stress Uterus Smooth
oxtocinergic receptors in and muscle
neurons the nipple mammar contraction,
and cervix; y glands leading to
estrogen birth or milk
ejection
Anterior pituitary hormones and the disorders caused by their
deficiency and excess
HORMONE DEFICIENCY EXCESS
GH Dwarfism in children or adult Gigantism in children,
GH deficiency syndrome acromegaly in adults

LH AND Gonadal insufficiency Extremely rare but causes

FSH (decreased sex steroids) infertility

ACTH Adrenocortical insufficiency Cushing's disease (increased

(decreased cortisol and cortisol and adrenal
adrenal androgens) androgens)

TSH Hypothyroidism (decreased Extremely rare but causes

thyroid hormones) hyperthyroidism (increased
thyroid hormones)

PROLACTIN Hypoprolactinaemia (failure Hyperprolactinaemia

in postpartum lactation) (impotence in males,
amenorrhoea in females and
decreased libido)
Posterior pituitary hormones and the disorders caused by their
deficiency and excess
HORMONE DEFICIENCY EXCESS
ADH Diabetes insipidus (polyuria, Syndrome of inappropriate
hypertension) ADH secretion (SIADH)

OXYTOCIN Failure to progress in labour No effect

and difficulty with
breastfeeding
Major Hormones and Frequently Measured Hormone Precursors
and Cytokines
ENDOCRINE CHEMICAL MAJOR SITES OF PRINCIPAL
ORGAN AND NATURE OF ACTION ACIONS
HORMONE HORMONE
HYPOTHALAMUS
THYROTROPIN- Peptide (3aa, Anterior pituitary Release of
RELEASING Glu-His-Pro) TSH and Prolactin
HORMONE (TRH)
(PRL)

GONADOTROPIN- Peptide (10aa) Anterior pituitary Release of LH and

RELEASING FSH
HORMONE (Gn-RH)
OR LUTEINIZING
HORMONE (LH-RH)
CORTICOTROPIN- Peptide(41aa) Anterior pituitary Release of ACTH
RELEASING and ß-lipotropic
HORMONE (CRH)
hormone (LPH)

GROWTH Peptide(40, 41aa) Anterior pituitary Release of growth

HORMONE- hormone (GH)
RELEASING
HORMONE (GH-RH)

SOMATOSTATIN (SS) Peptide(14, 28aa) Anterior pituitary Suppression of

OR GROWTH secretion of many
HORMONE-
hormones [e.g.,
INHIBITING
GH, TSH, gastrin,
HORMONE (GH-IH)
vasoactive
intestinal
polypeptide
(VIP), gastric
inhibitory
 polypeptide (GIP),
secretin,
motilin, glucagon,
and insulin]
PROLACTIN- Peptide(20aa) Anterior pituitary Release of PRL
RELEASING PEPTIDE

PROLACTIN- Dopamine Anterior pituitary Suppression of

RELEASING/INHIBITI synthesis and
NG FACTOR
secretion of PRL

ANTERIOR PITUITARY LOBE

THYROTROPIN OR Glycoprotein, Thyroid gland Stimulation of
THYROID heterodimer (α, thyroid hormone
STIMULATING
92aa; ß, 112aa) formation and
HORMONE (TSH)
secretion
FOLLICLE- Glycoprotein, Ovary Growth of follicles
STIMULATING heterodimer (α, with LH,
HORMONE (FSH)
92aa; ß, 117aa) secretion of
estrogens, and
ovulation

Testis Development of
seminiferous
tubules;
spermatogenesis

LUTEINIZING Glycoprotein, Ovary Ovulation;

HORMONE (LH) heterodimer (α, formation of
92aa; ß, 121aa) corpora
lutea; secretion of
progesterone
 Testis Stimulation of
interstitial tissue;
secretion of
androgens
PRL Peptide (199aa) Mammary gland Proliferation of
mammary gland;
initiation of milk
secretion;
antagonist of
insulin action
GROTH HORMONE Peptide (191aa) Liver Production of
(GH) OR IGF-1 (promoting
SOMATOTROPIN
growth)

Anti-insulin and
Liver and anabolic effects
peripheral tissues
CORTICOTROPIN OR Peptide (39aa) Adrenal cortex Stimulation of
ADRENOCORTICOTR adrenocortical
OPIN (ACTH)
steroid
formation and
secretion
ß-ENDORPHIN (ß- Peptide (31aa) Brain Endogenous
END) opiate; raising of
pain
threshold and
influence on
extrapyramidal
motor activity
 CHORIONIC Glycoprotein,
GONADOTROPIN heterodimer (α,
(CG) OR
92aa; ß, 145aa)
CHORIOGONADOTR
OPIN
α -MELANOCYTE- Peptide (13aa) Skin Dispersion of
STIMULATING pigment granules,
HORMONE (α -MSH)
darkening of skin

LEU-ENKEPHALIN Peptide (5aa) Brain Same as ß-

(LEK) AND endorphin
MET-ENKEPHALIN
(MEK)

POSTERIOR PITUITARY LOBE

VASOPRESSIN OR Peptide (9aa) Arterioles Elevation of
ADH Renal tubules blood pressure;
water
reabsorption
OXYTOCIN Peptide (9aa) Smooth muscles Contraction;
(uterus, action in
mammary gland) parturition and in
sperm transport;
ejection of milk
PINEAL GLAND
SEROTONIN OR 5- Indoleamine Cardiovascular, Neurotransmitter;
HYDROXYTRYPTAMI respiratory, and stimulation or
NE (5-HT)
gastrointestinal inhibition of
systems; brain various smooth
muscles and
nerves
 MELATONIN Indoleamine Hypothalamus Suppression of
gonadotropin
and GH secretion;
induction of sleep
THYROID GLAND
THYROXINE (T4) Iodoamino acids General body Stimulation of
AND tissue oxygen
TRIIODOTHYRONINE
consumption and
(T3)
metabolic rate of
tissue
CALCITONIN OR Peptide (32aa) Skeleton Uncertain in
THYROCALCITONIN humans

PARATHYROID GLAND
PARATHYROID Peptide (84aa) Kidney Increased calcium
HORMONE (PTH) OR reabsorption,
PARATHYRIN
inhibited
phosphate
reabsorption;
increased
production of
1,25-
dihydroxycholecal
ciferol

Skeleton Increased bone

resorption
ADRENAL CORTEX
ALDOSTERONE Steroid Kidney Salt and water
balance
ANDROSTENEDIONE Steroid Hormone Converted to
precursor estrogens and
testosterone

CORTISOL Steroid Many Metabolism of

carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats;
anti-inflammatory
effects; others
DEHYDROEPIANDRO Steroids Hormone Converted to
STERONE precursor estrogens and
(DHEA) AND
testosterone
DEHYDROEPIANDRO
STENEDIONE
SULFATE (DHEAS)
17- Steroid Hormone Converted to
HYDROXYPROGESTE precursor cortisol
RONE
ADRENAL MEDULLA
NOREPINEPHRINE Aromatic amines Sympathetic Stimulation of
AND EPINEPHRINE receptors sympathetic
nervous system
EPINEPHRINE Liver and muscle, Glycogenolysis
adipose tissue Lipolysis
OVARY
ACTIVIN A Peptides Pituitary, ovarian Stimulates release
2 ßA subunits follicle of FSH; enhances
FSH action;
inhibits androgen
production by
theca cells
 ACTIVIN B Peptides Pituitary, ovarian Stimulates release
2 ßA subunits follicle of FSH; enhances
beta FSH action;
inhibits androgen
production by
theca cells
DHEA AND DHEAS Steroids Hormone Converted to
precursors androstenedione

ESTROGENS Phenolic steroids Female accessory Development of

sex organs secondary sex
characteristics

Bone Control of
skeletal
maturation et al
FOLLISTATIN Peptides (288aa, Pituitary, ovarian Inhibits FSH
315aa) follicles synthesis and
secretion by
binding activing
INHIBIN A Peptides (α Hypothalamus, Inhibits FSH
subunit and ßA ovarian follicle secretion;
subunit) stimulates theca
cell androgen
production
INHIBIN B Peptide (α Hypothalamus, Inhibits FSH
subunit and ßB ovarian follicle secretion;
subunit) stimulates theca
cell androgen
production
PROGESTERONE Steroid Female accessory Preparation of
reproductive the uterus for
structure ovum
implantation,
 maintenance of
pregnancy
RELAXIN Peptide Uterus Inhibition of
myometrial
contraction
TESTIS
INHIBIN B

TESTTOSTERONE

PLACENTA
ESTROGENS

PROGESTERONE

RELAXIN

CHORIONIC
GONADOTROPIN
(CG) OR
CHORIOGONADOTR
OPIN
 PLACENTAL
GROWTH
HORMONE (GH-V)

CHORIONIC
SOMATOMAMOTRO
PIN (CS) OR
PLACENTAL
LACTOGEN (PL)