Hypothalamus and Pituitary Flashcards
What molecule inhibits the release of prolactin by the anterior pituitary gland?
Dopamine
What hormones activate the production of ACTH from the anterior pituitary gland?
CRH and AVP
Which hormones stimulate the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland?
Kisspeptin and GnRH
Which hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland are inhibited by somatostatin?
GH and TSH
Outline the thyroid hormone regulation/feedback loop
Thryoxine (T4) inhibits TSH and TRH production in increased levels
What is primary thyroid under activity?
there is reduced hormone production (T3 and T4) and therefore increased TSH production by the pituitary in response
What is secondary thyroid underactivity?
Where there is reduced T3/T4 production but also a reduced TSH production by the pituitary gland
What is primary thyroid overactivity?
There is increased production of T3/T4 and there are reduced TSH production
What is secondary thyroid overactivity?
There is increased production of T3/T4 and increased TSH production
Describe the growth hormone feedback loop
Somatostatin inhibits GH and GHRH production.
IGF inhibits GH and GHRH
What syndrome can result from an increase in cortisol levels?
Cushing’s syndrome
What syndrome can result from a decrease in cortisol levels?
Addison’s disease
Outline the ACTH feedback loop
Cortisol production inhibits ACTH, AVP (arginine vasopressin) and CRH release
Outline the LH/FSH feedback loop
Oestrogen and testosterone both inhibit kisspeptin production and use inhibit to inhibit LH and FSH production from the pituitary gland
What are the two different types of Cushing’s syndrome?
ACTH-dependent e.g. pituitary adenoma or other external ACTH production
ACTH-independent - as a result of adrenal hyperplasia/tumour etc.
