Neuroendocrine regulation and pituitary Flashcards
Overview of neuroendocrine regulation
Hypothalamus secretes stimulating factors (on) or inhibiting factors (off) which act on the anterior and posterior pituitary gland
Pituitary gland secretes trophic factors/hormones which act on gonads, thyroid and adrenal. These release primary hormones into circulation that target tissues
How does hypothalamus act on the pituitary gland
Synapses with the posterior pituitary gland and releases adh and oxytocin
Causes the anterior pituitary gland (by release of regulatory hormones) to release primary hormones including GH and prolactin (during pregnancy makes mammary glands develop milk ducts)
The anterior pituitary gland targets endocrine glands
Where is the hypothalamus located
at the base brain
What does the hypothalamus use the pituitary gland as
output organ
Hypo to posterior
Hypothalamus has modified neurosecretory cells, modified nerve endings which release ADH directly into circulation and act on the posterior pituitary gland
Hypo to anterior and
Hypo releases trophic hormone into median eminence and the Hypothalamo-pituitary portal vessel to anterior pituitary
Blood flow 1 direction, only hypo signals to anterior pituitary
Means small amounts of hormone needed to bring about response in anterior
Anterior v vascularised- easily secrete hormones into blood
Hypothalamic nuclei
have diverse functions Areas for neuroendocrine control: paraventricular nucleus (oxytocin release- lactation) Supraoptic (vasopressin/release) Arcuate nucleus and periventricular zone (neuroendocrine control)
Cells in the periventricular zone
They are suprachiasmatic neurones- receive retinal innervation and synchronize circadian rhythms (based on daylight). Light/dark cycle drives neuroendocrine signals
Send output to sympathetic and parasympathetic output neurones in spinal cord to control activity of ANS
Neurosecretory cells
responsible for release of regulatory hormones to control pituitary gland
Hypo regulatory hormones: releasing/stimulating factors
CRF- corticotropin releasing factors TRH- thyrotropin releasing hormone GHRH- growth hormone releasing hormone GnRH- gonadotropin releasing hormone PRF- prolactin releasing factor
Hypo regulatory hormones: Inhibiting factors
GHIH- growth hormone inhibiting hormone
PIH- prolactin inhibiting hormone
MSH-IH- melanocyte stimulating hormone inhibiting hormone
Anatomy of pituitary gland
Different sorts of tissues
Pars nervosa- posterior, nerve like
Pars distalis- anterior, has secretory vesicles with hormones
Pars intermedia in the middle, has neither anterior nor posterior, releases MSH
Anterior pituitary hormones, four trophic hormones
Thyroid Stimulating hormone
AdrenoCorticoTrophic Hormone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Lutenizing hormone
Anterior pituitary hormones: two primary hormones
Growth Hormone
PRoLactin
caps intentional
GnRH from hypo triggers release of
LH, FSH from pituitary
Which acts on testes, ovary