Intermediate Lobe of Pituitary Gland

Question 1

Intermediate Lobe

Answer 1

Smallest portion in all mammalian species
Doesn’t connect to hypothalamus
Absent in birds and whales
Only present in fetus in humans
Poorly vascularized
Very poorly understood in most species, but present in most mammals

Question 2

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormones

Answer 2

Main product of intermediate lobe
Affects skin/pelage (hair) coloration
Seasonal changes of coloration (not tanning)

Question 3

Equine PPID

Answer 3

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
“Equine Cushings Disease”-signs almost identical to cushiness in humans and dogs
Adenoma (benign tumor) secretes excessive ACTH which goes to adrenal gland to make cortisol

Question 4

Equine PPID Diagnosis

Answer 4

Can’t be diagnosed with low dex suppression test in humans/dogs because that test targets the anterior pituitary gland and in horses it’s coming from the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland