Hypothalamic-Pituitary relationships Flashcards
How is the anterior pituitary connected to the hypothalamus?
by hypothalamic-hypophysial portal vessels
Do hypothalamic hormones appear in the systemic circulation in high concentration?
No
They appear in high concentration in the hypothalamic-hypophysial portal vessels
What are the connections between the hypothalamus and anterior lobe ?
Via median eminence and portal system: Neural and endocrine
What are the connections between the hypothalamus and posterior lobe?
neural axons via neuro-hypophyseall stalk
ACTH has melanocyte-stimulating hormone activity. Explain the clinical relevance
Increase blood levels of MSH can cause skin pigmentation
Addison disease ACTH levels increase, Skin pigmentation is a symptom
POMC-> ACTH + Y-lipotropin + B-Endorphin
Describe the HPA axis
Major hormones: CRH->ACTH
Target organs: medulla and cortex adrenal gland
peripheral hormone: aldosterone, cortisol, sex horm
Regulations: stress - neurogenic (fear) or systemic (surgery)
Hypothalamus has the ability to reset the set point in response to stress
Describe the HPT axis
TRH->(PKC mechanism) TSH->(PKA mechanism) thyroid gland->T3/T4
Regulation: stress - physical, starvation, infection inhibits TRH secretion
Describe the HPG axis
GnRH->(Ca, PKC, other) FSH and LH->gonands and thyroid(PKA mech.) ->estrogen and testosterone
Regulation: stress inhibits via inhibin
Puberty promotes
What stimulates GH secretion?
Decreased blood glucose levels: ghrelin->GH release
Secreted in pulsatile pattern every 2 hours
GHRH->GH
What is the lifetime pattern of growth hormone secretion?
Peaks at puberty then declines
What are the direct and indirect effects of growth hormone?
Direct: effect on tissues like skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue
Indirect: mediated by the production of somatomedins in the liver (IGF-1)
What are the actions of growth hormone?
Diabetogenic effect
Increased Protein synthesis and organ growth
Increased linear growth
The diabetogenic effect directly results in what actions of GH?
Body not using glucose but using fats
Results in increase in blood insulin levels from liver, skeletal m, adipose tissue
Leads to insulin resistance
Decrease in glucose uptake and utilization
Increase in lipolysis in adipose tissue (ketogenic)
what is the hypophysial stalk?
physical connection between hypothalamus and (posterior) pituitary gland
What inhibits the release of growth hormones from the anterior pituitary?
Target tissues release somatomedins which directly inhibits
Somatomedins also stimulate the hypothalamus to secrete somatostatin which inhibits the anterior pituitary
Describe the action of Growth hormone from the indirect effect of somatomedins
Stimulate synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins
Protein synthesis and organ growth: increase uptake of aa
Increase linear growth: Increase metabolism in cartilage-forming cells and chondrocytes proliferation
What are causes of growth hormone deficiency ?
Decrease secretion of GHRH - hypothalamic
Decrease in GH secretion - 1* deficiency
- failure to generate somatomedins
GH or somatomedin resistance - receptor deficiency
What does growth hormone excess cause?
acromegaly
Before puberty: gigantism
After puberty: increase organ size, extremities size, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance
What is excessive growth hormone in the body usually caused by?
GH- secreting pituitary adenoma
What are conditions with excess secretion of GH treated with ?
somatostatin analogues like octreotide
With combined actions of progesterone and estrogen, what role does prolactin play in breast development?
At puberty: stimulate proliferation and branching of mammary ducts
During pregnancy: stimulates growth and development of the mammary alveoli
What role does prolactin play in lactogenesis?
Induces synthesis of lactose, casein, and lipids
Why does lactation not occur during pregnancy even though prolactin levels are high?
High levels of estrogen and progesterone down-regulate prolactin receptors
How is inhibition of lactation released at birth?
Estrogen and progesterone levels drop precipitously, when this occurs lactogenesis is stimulated