Endocrinology Flashcards
Direct communication
- Transportation via gap junctions or connexins
Contact communication
- Information processing via molecules integrated into the membrane
- Typical in cells of the immune system
Communication by secretion
- Cells are located relatively far away
- Molecules are secreted and received
- Typical of the immune and nervous system
Cytoskeletal communication
- Metabolism of a cell is influenced
- This is relayed by the cytoskeletal system
Give the types of cell communication
- Direct communication
- Contact communication
- Communication by secretion
- Cytoskeletal communication
Classical endocrine effect
- Cells secrete hormones
- Hormones reach recipient cells via blood stream
Paracrine effect
- Signals do not enter the blood
- Acting on cells of the same tissue adjacent to the original cell
- Signals are called local chemical mediators
Give the fate of local chemical mediators in the paracrine system
They can be either:
- Broken down
- Immobilised
- Taken up by cells
Autocrine effect
- A special form of paracrine effect
- Signal-producing cell sends and receives its own signals
List the types of information processing in the endocrine system
- Classical endocrine effect
- Paracrine effect
- Autocrine effect
- Neurotransmitters
Which part of the CNS is the integrator of the endocrine system?
The hypothalamus
The function of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system depends on…
- The levels of hormones
- Information arriving from:
- Nervous system
- Immune system
Title this figure
Feedback within the endocrine system
What is the function of the feedback mechanism in the endocrine system?
It allows fine-tuning in the regulation of signals
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Target organ
“Smart” end-users: Peripheral cells
Give the classifications of endocrine feedback mechanisms
- Long feedback
- Short feedback
- Ultra-short feedback
Give an example of where long feedback occurs
Between:
- A peripheral gland
- Hypothalamus
Give an example of where short feedback occurs
Between:
- A peripheral gland
- Pituitary gland
Give an example of where ultra-short feedback occurs
Between:
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland
Which hormones are used to demonstrate the classical regulatory pathway?
Thyroid hormones
Title this figure
Thyroid feedback
Hypothalamus
TRH
Hypophysis
TSH
Thyroid gland
Thyroxine synthesis increases
Blood vessel:
Thyroxine level increases
Give examples of IC “second messengers”
- cAMP
- cGMP
- Ca2+
- Diaglycerol (DAG)
- Inositol triphosphate (IP3)
Which processes occur between:
- Signals being received
- The appearance of biological effects
Signal transduction processes
What are the reasons that a hormone-like substance could have varying effects on different cells?
- There are separate receptors in the different tissues
- The receptor is the same but a different signalling pathway is initiated
Title the figure
Scatchard analysis
Bmax (No. of binding sites) given by the point of intersection
What is a Scatchard analysis used for?
Used for measuring the properties of receptor-ligand interaction
Which parameters can be estimated from a Scatchard analysis?
- The total number of binding sites
- Strength (affinity) of binding between the receptor and the ligand
Title the figure
Regulation of receptor number
- Either:
- Long lasting hormone treatment
- The decrease of cellular metabolic needs
“Down-regulation”
Inhibition of receptor expression
Either:
- Removal of the endocrine gland
- Increase of cellular metabolic needs
“Up-regulation”
Facilitation of receptor expression
How do lipophilic hormones have an effect on cells?
- They easily pass the cell membrane
- Binding to cytoplasmic proteins
- They then reach the nucleus
- Modification of genetic expression of proteins
How do water-soluble/hydrophilic peptides and glycoprotein hormones have an effect on cells?
Exert actions by binding to membrane surface receptors
G-protein dependent transduction outcomes
- Migration of G-protein to ion channel protein, activating/inactivating it
- Activate enzymes bound to the IC side of the membrane
- Influence adenylate cyclase activity → IC cAMP conc.
- Control phospholipase C activity → Produces messengers
- Control PLA2 enzyme → Arachidonic acid
Describe the receptor of G-protein independent transduction
The receptor is a transmembrane protein:
- EC ligand binding part
- Central part
- IC part which exhibits phosphorylase activity
Describe G-protein independent transduction
- Ligand bond formation
- IC polypeptide chain phosphorylates
- Receptor activates
- Biological action
Describe cell activation when the receptor is in the cytoplasm
- Lipophilic hormones pass the cell membrane
- Hormones bind to cytoplasmic proteins (receptors)
- Receptor-ligand complex formation
- DNA-binding domain of the receptor protein ‘finds’ HRE
- Biological response initiated through transcription of a protein
Title the figure
Fine structure of the nuclear receptor
Lypophilic hormone
LBD
Ligand binding domain
DNA-BD
DNA binding domain
HRE
Hormone-responsive element
BPE
Basal promoter element
VD
Variable domain
The function of the VD
Locating of the base-pair segment of the DNA
Specific to the particular hormone
The function of HRE
Binds the DBD
DBD
DNA binding domain
Amino acid segment of the hormone-receptor complex
The function of the BPE
- Activated by receptor-DNA complex
- Expression of the structural gene begins
Title the figure
The receptor in the form of an ion channel
Describe the structure of a receptor which is acting as an ion channel
- 5 membrane-integrated domains
- Ligand binding site on the EC side
- 2x alpha subunits
- 2x beta subunits
- 1x delta subunit
Give examples of receptors which are ion channels
- n-ACh-R (Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor)
- Glutamate receptors
- Anion receptors
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can be inhibited by…
d-tubocurarine
n-ACh-R can be stimulated/inhibited by substances affecting the…
Receptor’s 5 subunits
What are the states n-ACh-R can be in?
- Closed (before ACh binding)
- Open (After ACh binding)
Describe the processes after ACh binds to the receptor
- Conformational change
- Cation channel opens (“open state”)
- Flow of cations
- Local excitatory potential formed
- AP is triggered
Describe the closing of n-ACh-R
- The open channel becomes inactivated
- Ligand bond still exists
- Change of conformation doesn’t allow cation flow
- Channel is “inactive”
- Dissociation of the ligand
- Channel closes
Give the main groups of glutamate-sensitive receptors
- NMDA receptor
- AMPA receptor
- Kainate-receptor
NMDA receptor
- Function
N-metil-D-aspartate
- Binding Mg2+ keeps receptor closed
- Mg2+ dissociated after receptor activation
- Ca2+ influx maintains a lasting effect
Opening of anion-receptors causes
Hyperpolarisation of CNS inhibitory synapses
What can cause hyperpolarisation of anion receptors
Nonspecific anions
- Cl-
- HCO3-
Give the main mediators of anion-receptors
- GABA
- Glycine
The function of GABA in the anion-receptor
- Either GABA-A / GABA-B
- GABA-B activation:
- Decrease IC cAMP
- Affects K+ channels
G-protein structure
- 3 subunits form a complex:
- Alpha subunit + GDP
- Beta subunit
- Gamma subunit
G-protein mechanism of action
- The ligand binds to the EC receptor
- Conformational change in the 7-M protein
- Beta + gamma subunits bind to the IC side of the receptor
- Alpha subunit conformational change
- Alpha subunit binds GTP
- Alpha subunit-GTP complex liberated
- Stimulates/inhibits ion channel/enzyme
Describe the return of G-protein to its resting state
- GTP → GDP
- Alpha subunit binds to gamma + beta again
- G protein → Resting state
Describe Gs effect
- Activated G-protein migrates to a remote ion channel protein
- Activates the channel
Describe Gi effect
- Activated G-protein migrates to a remote ion channel protein
- Inactivates the channel
- M2 ACh-R
- K+ channel opens
- alfa2 type R
- K+ channel opens
- D2 type R
- K+ channel opens
- GABA type R
- K+ channel opens
- S2 type R
- K+ / Ca2+ channel opens
- OP type R
- Ca2+ channel opens
Title this figure
Adenylate cyclase mechanism
Summarise the adenylate cyclase mechanism
- Influenced by G-proteins
- Gs: adenylate cyclase activity ↑
- Gi: adenylate cyclase activity ↓
Describe the steps of the Gs mechanism
- Glucagon mobilises Gs G-protein
- Liberates hepatic glycogen stores
Describe the steps of the Gi mechanism
- alpha2-adrenergic receptor activated
- IC cAMP levels ↓
List receptors of the Gs pathway
- Prostacyclin
- Dopamine D1
- Catecholamine beta
- Anterior pituitary
- Histamine H2
- 2-type ADH
List receptors of the Gi pathway
- Dopamine D2
- Alpha1 catecholamine
- Some glutamate
- Some opioid
Title the figure
Phospholipase C mechanism (PLC)
Give the steps of the phospholipase C (PLC) mechanism
- Activation of G-protein
- Stimulates Phospholipase C
- Converts membrane phospholipids → IP3/DAG
IP3
- Binds to IP3 receptor (on the surface of Ca2+ sequesters)
- The receptor is an ion channel
- IP3 opens the channel
- Increasing IC Ca2+
- Cellular effects
DAG
- Similar behaviour to cAMP
- Activates type-C protein kinases
- Triggers several phosphorylation pathways
- Biological effects
Give examples of ligands in the PLC mechanism
- ACh
- Histamine
- Purin
- PGE
- TXA2
- ADH
- Oxytocin
All of which release Ca2+
Give the steps of the Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mechanism
- G-protein activation
- Converts phospholipids → arachidonic acid (substrate)
- Arachidonic acid → Several products
Besides active G-proteins, what else can activate the PLA2 mechanism?
Ca2+
Arachidonic acid can pass through which further pathways?
- Lipoxygenase pathway
- Cyclooxygenase pathway
- Epoxygenase pathway
List the products of the lipoxygenase pathway
- Leukotrienes (LT)
- Lipoxins (LX)
List the products of the cyclooxygenase pathway
- Prostacyclins (PGIs)
- Prostaglandins (PGs)
- Thromboxanes (TXs)
Describe the mechanism when a receptor is also an IC enzyme
- Ligand bond formed on the outer surface
- IC polypeptide chain phosphorylates
- Activation of the receptor
- Biological action
Give an example of direct enzyme stimulation
Insulin receptor
The receptor is able to phosphorylate itself and other proteins on the IC part of the cell
Auto-phosphorylation
- Self phosphorylating enzyme phosphorylates tyrosine residues of the IC receptor sequence
- Phosphorylated tyrosine residues bind intracellular proteins
- Specific IC responses elicited
Describe the processes after autophosphorylation
- Autophosphorylation
- Receptor-enzyme complex is taken up by the cell
- Inactivation
Describe the figure
- Tyrosine residues are present in the enzyme’s IC domain
- Ligand binding
- Phosphorylation of IC regulatory proteins (RP1+RP2)
- Biological effects
The hypothalamus is divided into which parts?
- Magnocellular area (with large cells)
- Parvocellular area (with small cells)
Describe the movement of hormones from the hypothalamus
- Hormones produced in the parvocellular area → Adenohypophysis
- Hormones produced in the magnocellular area → Neurohypophysis
Which nuclei are found in the magnocellular area?
- Supraoptic nucleus (Oxytocin production)
- Paraventricular nucleus (ADH production)
Which nuclei are found in the parvocellular area?
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Dorsomedial nucleus
- Infundibular nucleus
Inhibit/release substances which can reach the adenohypophysis
Describe the transport of neurosecretions from the parvocellular area
- Parvocellular area
- Portal circulation of pituitary stalk via axons
- Arrive at the adenohypophysis
- Influence production + release of hormones into the blood
Describe the transport of neurosecretions from the magnocellular area
- Magnocellular area
- From the site of production (Neurone)
- The site of release (Neurohypophysis)
Title the figure
Axonal transport
Describe the steps of axonal transport
- Peptide travels from hypothalamic cell → axon
- First capillarisation (Median eminence)
- Portal circulation
- Second capilarisation (anterior pituitary)
- Cells of anterior pituitary
Basal membrane
Axonal transport, neurosecretion
First capillarisation (Median eminence)
Portal circulation
Second capillarisation (anterior pituitary)
Which portal vessel do peptides travel down in axonal transport?
Pituitary stalk
Give the proteins of axonal transport
- Kinesin (Transport from soma to synapse)
- Dynein (Returning of residues to the soma)
In axonal transport, what determines the direction of transport of proteins?
Polarity
Parvocellular areas synthesise releasing and inhibitory substances which influence…
Tropic-hormone production of the adenohypophysis
Hypophyseotrop hormones
Hypothalamic substances that influence production + release of the pituitary gland
Give the parvocellular hormone systematic names
- RH/RF (Releasing hormone/ Releasing factor)
- IH/IF (Inhibiting hormone/ Inhibiting factor)
- ’+’ (Facilitates synthesis + secretion hormones)
- ’-‘ (Inhibits hormone synthesis and release)
E.g TSH-RH = Thyrotropin hormone releasing hormone
In adenohypophyseal systematic naming, what do the following abbreviations mean (Prior to ‘RH’ or ‘RF’)?
- T
- C
- Gn
- G
- P
- M
- T = Thyrotropin, TSH
- C = Corticotropin, ACTH
- Gn = Gonadotropin, FSH/LH
- G = Growth hormone, STH
- P = Prolactin, PRL
- M = Melanocyte stimulating hormone, MSH
- TSH+
- Thyroliberin
- ACTH+
- Corticoliberin
- FSH+, LH+
- Gonadoliberin
- GH+
- Somatoliberin
- PRL+
- VIP, TRH
- MSH+
- MSH-RH
List the releasing factors (short name)
- TRH
- CRF
- GnRH
- GRF
- PRF
- MRF
Function: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
- Stimulates thyroid gland
- Stimulates hormone release
Function: Corticotropin-Releasing Factor
- Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulating hormone
- Facilitates synthesis + release of:
- ACTH
- MSH
- Endogenous opiates
- Stimulating + splitting + synthesis of POMC
Function: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Facilitates synthesis + release of:
- FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
- LH (Luteinising hormone)
- In males + females
Function: Growth hormone releasing factor (GRF)
Synthesis + release of growth hormone
Function: Prolactin-releasing hormone (PFR)
- Prolactin synthesis + release
- Lactation
- Ovulation in the rat
What are the main parvocellular inhibiting factors?
- Dopamine
- Somatostatin
- GABA
- VIP
In adenohypophyseal systematic naming, what do the following abbreviations mean (Prior to ‘IH’ or ‘IF’)?
- G
- P
- M
- G = Growth hormone, somatotropin, STH
- P = Prolactin, PRL
- M = Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH
- TRH-, PRL-
- TSH-IH, PRL-IH
- GH-
- GH-IH, somatostatin
- PRL-
- PRL-IH
- GH+
- MSH-IH, Melatostatin
- General, an indirect inhibitor
- Norepinephrine
- General, an indirect inhibitor
Function: GIF
- Systematic name for Somatostatin
- GIF = Growth hormone inhibiting factor
- Somatotropin inhibiting hormone
Function: PIF
- Systematic name for inhibiting factor of prolactin release + production
- Regulated by dopamine
- Hypothalamic peptide is known to decrease prolactin production
- PRL+, GIF
- GIF+ In the pancreas
- PRL+
- Substance-P antagonist
- GH, PRL+
- MSH-IH, melanostatin
- General facilitator
- Peptide family actin on gastrin
- PRL+, GH+, TSH+
- Paracrine action of tachykinins in HP
- PRL+
The function of: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
- PL+
- Somatostatin-
The function of: Angiotensin-II
- Synthesis + release of somatotropin + prolactin
- MSH-inhibiting effect
- Stimulation of water reabsorption
- Increase BP, V1 receptor, IP3
- Preparation of uterine contractions for estrogen response, basket cell contraction
- Classical neuroendocrine reflex
Give an example of neuroendocrine reflexes
Oxytocin-mechanisms
What are the essential characteristics of a neuroendocrine reflex?
- Translation of neural information from sensory nerve to the language of the endocrine system (using the hypothalamus)
- Effect/response is not neural but hormonal
Describe the reflexes for milk ejection
- Excitation from udder sensory fibres → Spinal cord
- Excitation → Hypothalamus
- Enhanced oxytocin synthesis evoked
- Oxytocin release increases from the neurohypophysis
- Oxytocin reaches the mammary gland via blood
- Contraction of myoepithelial cells (For milk ejection)
Give the hormonal profile of a cow in stress
- Plasma glucocorticoid level increases, causing:
- Oxytocin fall
- Prolactin fall
- Milk ejection decrease to minimum
What are glandotropic hormones?
Give examples
Those acting exclusively on endocrine glands
- TSH
- ACTH
- FSH
- LH
What are histiotropic hormones?
Give examples
Those acting on certain organs
- STH
- PRL
The adenohypophysis develops in which structure?
Rathke’s pouch
The adenohypophysis is formed by…tissue
Entodermal glandular
The neurohypophysis is formed by…tissue
Ectodermal nervous
Give the cell types of the hypophysis
- A = Acidophils
- B = Basophils
- C = Chromophobes
Somatotropin (GH) producing cells
Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) producing cells
Thyrotropin (TSH) producing cells
Prepubertal hypopituitarism/Removal of the pituitary gland
- Results in proportional dwarfism
- In adults:
- Smaller organs
- Thin hairs
- Decreased sexual function
- Decreased protein/glycogen stores
- Decreased BMR
Congenital hyperpituitarism
- Gigantism
- In adult life:
- Acromegaly: Increase in the size of enlargeable extremities and other parts. E.g limbs
Metabotropic hormones of the hypophysis
- GH
- ACTH
- TSH
Gonadotropic hormones of the hypophysis
- PRL
- FSH
- LH
STH/GH receptor mechanism of action
- Hormone binds to the receptor
- IC conformational change
- Activation of the second messenger system
- = G-protein activated cAMP
What direct biological effect does GH have on the body?
- Stimulates somatomedins (further hormones) in the liver
- GH is therefore considered to be glandotropic + histiotropic
Increased growth hormone secretion in young age results in…
Gigantism
Increased growth hormone secretion in adults results in…
Asymmetrical growth of:
- Limbs
- Jaw
- Certain flat bones
Give the episodic release of GH
The effect of growth hormone on protein metabolism
- Increases amino acid uptake
- Increases intracellular protein synthesis
- Positive nitrogen balance
The effect of growth hormone on lipid metabolism
- Increases catabolic processes:
- FFA + plasma triglyceride increase
- Fatty deposits are mobilised
- Glucose oxidation decreases
- Gluconeogenesis increases
- Increased plasma acetoacetic acid levels
- Increased plasma beta-OH-butyrate levels
The effect of growth hormone on carbohydrate metabolism
- Antiinsuline effects:
- Decrease insulin-dependent glucose uptake in adipose
- Diabetogenic effects:
- Increase plasma glucose level
- Glucogenesis
- Glucagon production
- Increase plasma glucose level
- Houssay’s experiment
Houssay’s experiment
Adenohypophysectomy improved the status of a diabetic dog
GH stimulates…in the liver
- Activation of thyroid hormones
- Synthesis of somatomedins
Function of somatomedins
- Influence bone, cartilage and connective tissue
- Circulate in plasma, bound by carrier proteins
Somatomedins have a similar structure to…
Insulin
- They are therefore known as IGFs (Insulin-like growth factors)*
- They cannot exert any effect on insulin receptors*
Somatomedins are also known as…
Sulphating factors
IGF =
Somatomedins (Sm)
IGF-I
Sm-C
IGF-II =
MSA
Multiplication stimulating activity
Give the effects of IGF-I
Stimulation of:
- Chondrocyte sulphate intake
- Chondrocyte + osteoblast bone forming activity
- Longitudinal bone growth
- Transversal + periosteal bone growth
- Acromegaly
Rat tibia test
- A biological hormone identification method
- Rat epiphysis’ do not close: always ready to grow
- Unknown substance is administered
- The thickness of the tibial disk is compared with its previous normal size
Describe the regulation of GH secretion
- Plasma levels of:
- Glucose
- Arginine
- Thyroid hormone
- Hypothalamic factors
Peripheral feedback of GH regulation consists of which compounds?
- Plasma metabolites
- IGF
- IGF-BP (Binding protien)
Title the figure
Regulation of GH secretion
Regulators of GH secretion
- Plasma glucose + amino acid levels
- Sex
- Stress
- Age
Regulators of GH secretion
Neurosecretion:
- GH-RH
- GH-IH
Regulators of GH secretion
Trop. hormone:
- GH
Regulators of GH secretion
- Metabolites of peripheral tissues + IGF levels
- GH receptors
- IGF binding proteins
Practical approaches of GH
- Increase productivity
- Milk
- Genetic engineering
- rpGH = recombinant-porcine growth hormone
Show the GH effects in cow (Graph)
Biochemical function of ACTH
In the adrenal fasciculate + reticular zones:
- ACTH increases cAMP pathway
- Stimulating glucocorticoid synthesis
What is the primary regulator of aldosterone?
Plasma [K+]
Not ACTH
Many hormones produced in the pituitary gland are synthesised from a common precursor hormone called…
PRE-POMC
- (PRE-PROOPIOMELANOCORTIN)*
- The name is derived from the most important hormones derived from it*
List the hormones derived from Pre-POMC
- Opioid peptides
- MSH
- ACTH
Hormones derived from Pre-POMC are involved in which processes?
Adaptive processes of the body
ACTH is released in the incidence of…
Stress:
- Mobilises energy reserves
- Decreases sensation of pain
Which substance stimulates all the shown cleaving processes?
Where is this substance produced?
CRF (Corticotropin-releasing factor)
Produced in the hypothalamus
LPH =
Lipotropic hormone
CLIP =
Corticotropin like intermediate peptide
Endorphin =
Endogenous morphine
Enkephalin=
Endogenous opioid / Signal peptide
Give the steps of ACTH production
- Pre-POMC
- POMC
- ACTH
Give the effect of ACTH in the glomerulosa layer
Increases cholesterol-pregnenolone conversion →
Increasing mineralocorticoid synthesis
Synthesis of ACTH is regulated according to the…
Classical feedback principle
Long feedback
Involvement of glucocorticoid concentration in ACTH feedback
Ultra-short feedback
The inhibiting effect of ACTH on CRF
Give the steps of neural impulses causing ACTH secretion
- Nerve impulses → Hypothalamus
- Impulses are integrated by CRF synthesising cells
- Circadian fluctuation of CRF
- Determination of ACTH release
Title the figure
Regulation of ACTH synthesis
Exogenous/endogenous effects
- Serotonin
- ACh
CRF
ACTH
Neurosecretion
Tropic
Steroids
- Norepinephrine
- GABA
Circadian rhythm of ACTH
- Short half-life
- Conc. is higher in the early morning
- Lowest at midnight
This is the cause of the fluctuation of glucocorticoid conc. (diurnal rhythm)
Annotate the figure
- ACTH levels increase in early morning hours
TSH
- Gonadotropic peptide hormone
- Alpha chain: Species specificity
- Beta chain: Biological specificity
What increases TSH levels
- Thyroid hormones
- Hypothalmic TRH
What decreases TSH levels?
- Cortisol
- Dopamine
- Somatostatin
Role of TSH
Stimulation of thyroxine
Plasma TSH concentration is increased by…
TRH
FSH
- Increase oestrogen synthesis in the follicle
- Maturation of the follicle
- Increased testicular spermatogenesis
FSH expression is directed by…
- GnRH
- Steroids
- Inhibin
LH
- Luteinising hormone
- Located: Leydig cell → Testis / Granulosa cell → Ovary
- Increases synthesis of androgens in both organs
- Primary factor initiating ovulation
PRL
Prolactin
- Stimulate mammary gland differentiation
- Stimulate + maintain milk production
- Metabolic hormone
How is PRL stimulated
- Hypothalamic neuronal activity
- Oestrogen inhibits dopamine synthesis
- Stimulating PRL production during ovulation
Give the effects of PRL
- Facilitation of lactogenesis
- Facilitation of galactopoiesis
- Support of suckling
- Ovulation in the rat
Describe the steps toward spontaneous inhibition of PRL
- Spontaneous production of Ca2+ signal in the hypothalamus
- Dopamine synthesis in hypothalamus changes
- Levels of dopamine alter according to a tonic pattern
- Stimulation + suppression of adenohypophyseal PRL production + release
List the stimuli of PRL production
- Pregnancy
- Suckling
- Stress
- Sleep
- Hypoglycaemia
- Dopamine
List the inhibitors of PRL production
- Dopamine
- GABA
- GAP
- Drug: Bromocryptine
Positive physiological stimuli and negative effects
Serotonin opioids
Neurosecretion + Peripheral blood-derived signals
PRL
Trophormone
Udder:
- Suckling
- Maternal behaviour
Other: Increase of metabolism
‘Tonic’ central inhibition
- Dopamine
- GABA
- GAP
PRL regulation by neurosecretion involves which hormones?
- TRH
- GnRH
- VIP
- Galanin
PRL regulation by peripheral blood involves which hormones?
- Serotonin
- Angiotensin-II
- Oestrogens
MSH
- Formed from ACTH
- Stimulation of pigment granule production
- Transport along the microtubule system → Decoloration of cells
Effect of MSH on pigment cells
- Microtubule system from the nucleus
- MSH causes:
- Granules to migrate along microtubules
- Even distribution of granules, darkening cell
Function of melatonin
Hormone:
- Stimulates migration of scattered pigment granules
- Back to the vicinity of the nucleus
Pineal gland produces
Produces serotonin + melatonin
Melatonin secretion
- Circadian rhythm, affected by light
- Decreased illumination acts positively
- Increased daylight acts negatively
Some species:
- Melatonin production positively influences sexual activity
- In other species, it may have a negative influence
Describe the innervation of the pineal gland
- Not directly connected to the CNS
- Innervated by postganglionic sympathetic fibres
Describe the effect of decreased light intensity on the pineal gland
- Decreased illumination to retina → Sympathetic activity
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) connection
- Excitation from cervical ganglion → CP
- Norepinephrine released here → NAT synthesis (used in melatonin synthesis)
Title the figure
Innervation of the pineal gland
Norepinephrine
Beta-receptor + Adenylate cyclase