2 Hypothalamus And Pituitary Unit Flashcards
The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary unit is to …
Coordinate the physiologic response of organs that together maintain homeostasis
Hormones released from the Anterior Pituitary are responsible for…
Metabolism Growth and development Reproduction Lactation Response to stress
(ACTH, GH, TSH, Prolactin, LH, FSH)
Hormones released from the Posterior Pituitary are responsible for …
Water balance Parturition and Lactation Regulation of BP Cardiac Function Diuresis
(Oxytocin and Arginine Vasopressin/ADH)
____________ neurons project their axons down the infundibular process and terminate in the posterior pituitary, where they release their hormones into a capillary bed
Magnocellular neurons
___________ neurons are the neurovascular link between the hypothalamus and the anterior lobe of the pituitary
Parvicellular neurons
They are neurosecretory and project axons to the median eminence, where they secrete releasing hormones
Parvicellular neurons release what?
Releasing hormones
RHs flow down the pituitary stalk in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal vessels to the anterior pituitary. RHs and inhibiting hormones regulate the secretion of tropic hormones from cell types of the anterior pituitary.
What hormones are released from Magnocellular neurons
Oxytocin, ADH, NP (neurophysin)
Originate from Paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON)
What hormones are released from Parvicellular neurons?
CRH, TRH, GnRH, GHRH, Somatostatin, DA
These in turn lead to the release of ACTH, TSH, LH/FSH, GH, PRL from anterior pituitary
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of GHRH?
GH (increased synthesis from somatotrophs, 45%) —> Growth via IGF production in liver and energy metabolism
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of TRH?
TSH (increased synthesis from thyrotrophs, 3-5%) —> Growth of thyroid gland and synthesis of T3/T4
Prolactin (increased synthesis from mammotrophs, 10-15%) —> breath development and milk production in mammary glands
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of Somatostatin?
GH and TSH (decreased synthesis)
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of GnRH?
LH (increased synthesis) —> Ovulation and synthesis of estrogen in women, secretion of testosterone from Leydig cells in men
FSH (increased synthesis in gonadotrophs, 15%) —> development of follicle in women, initiation of spermatogenesis in men
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of CRH?
ACTH (increased synthesis from corticotrophs, 15%) —> growth of the adrenal gland and synthesis of corticosteroids
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of PRF?
Prolactin (increased synthesis from lactotrophs) —> breast development and milk production
What is the pituitary hormone and target cell of Dopamine)
Inhibits prolactin synthesis (aka PIH)
Where are hormones of the posterior pituitary produced?
Synthesized in the hypothalamic neuronal cell bodies of magnocellular neurons, in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
Both OT and ADH are synthesized in the peptide fashion as preprohormones
How big are ADH and Oxytocin?
Both are nonapeptides (consist of 9 amino acids)
What are some cool traits of the posterior pituitary hormones (ADH and OT)?
Released into fenestrated pituitary capillaries upon stimulation via action potentials
Co-secreted with NEUROPHYSINS
Both have a short plasma half-life of ~8 minutes
Cysteine residues form a disulfide bride that confers its activity. When disulfide bridges are knocked off in the liver, the hormone becomes inactive.
Carrier proteins that prevent the diffusion of hormones out of the axons in the posterior pituitary
Neurophysins, NP-I and NP-II
NP-I goes with Oxytocin (think you drink your mama’s milk first in life) and NP-II goes with ADH
A defect or lack of neurophysins (specifically NP-II) which leads to the release of ADH at inappropriate levels
Central Diabetes Insipidus
What is the physiologic effects of oxytocin in lactating breasts?
Stimulates milk ejection (myoepithelial cell contraction)
The suckling of the nipple also stimulates OT release —> afferent sensory signals that elicit an increase in OT in circulation (POSITIVE FEEDBACK)
What is the physiologic effect of oxytocin in the pregnant uterus?
Produces rhythmic smooth muscle contraction to induce labor.
Release of OT is stimulated with distention of the cervix as well as the contraction of the uterus during parturition (POSITIVE FEEDBACK)
In addition to controlling lactation and uterine contractions, oxytocin is also…
A cardiovascular and cardio metabolic hormone.
Both OT synthesis and receptors (OTR) occur in the heart.
A specific OT-natriuretic peptide-NO axis resides in the heart.
OT causes ANP/BNP release from cardiomyopathy and ANP, in turn, stimulates the release of NO from the vascular endothelium (a cardio-protective system!).
Where are OT, ANP and BNP found in the heart?
OT is found in atria and ventricles, but is 3-4x more abundant in atria
ANP is found in atria and ventricle but is more abundant in atria
BNP is found mainly in the ventricles
What does OT respond to in terms of cardiac function?
Responds to volume overload to regulate BP
CV effects
• Vasodilation
• Increased NO production
• Negative chronotropic effect (slows heart beat)
• Negative inotropic effect (lessens contraction)
Renal effects • Natriuresis • Kaliuresis • Diuresis •Decreased plasma volume
Endocrine effects
• Decreased cortisol, aldosterone, renin
OT regulates cardiac function by …
Modulating the parasympathetic system and inotropicity
Local OT—> Bradycardia, Negative inotropy, Increased glucose uptake
PItuitary OT —> ANP —> NO Synthesis —> dilation of coronary resistance vessels
In prediabetes, clinical studies show that OT …
Increases peripheral glucose uptake by a GLUT4 mechanism but NOT via the insulin receptor pathway —> therapeutic effect of OT?