Pituitary Flashcards
Hypothalamus
part of the brain that stimulates tropin releasing hormones
Pituitary
anterior: synthesizes stimulating hormones
posterior: stores hormones from hypothalamus for release
TRH
thyrotropin-releasing hormone
CRH
corticotropin-releasing hormone
GnRH
gonadotropin-releasing hormone
ADH or AVP
vasopressin
Anterior pituitary cells & secretions
lactotrophs- secrete prolactin somatotrophs - secrete growth hormone thyrotrophs - secrete thyroid stimulating hormone corticotrophs - secrete ACTH gonadotrophs - secrete LH & FSH
short feedback loop
hormone back to pituitary
long feedback loop
hormone back to hypothalamus
ultra short feedback
feedback between pituitary & hypothalamus
hormone secretions
pulsatile secretions - pulse frequencies
cyclic nature or diurnal variations of hormones : nervous system regulates through signals the circadian/ diurnal variations of hormones
trophic hormones
affect another endocrine gland
TSH, FSH, LH, ACTH
direct effector hormones
act directly on peripheral tissues
growth hormone & prolactin
Growth hormone general
‘somatotropin’ takes up 1/3 of pituitary space
average pulse interval : 2-3 hours
both anabolic & catabolic hormone
Growth hormone peak
occurs at onset of sleep in adults
Growth hormone & insulin
growth hormone is an antagonist of insulin
GH & liver metabolism
promotes gluconeogenesis in the liver & lipolysis for cell energy ( since insulin is inhibited)
what amplifies GH action ?
Insulin-like growth factor 1 or IGF-1
GH deficiency during childhood
dwarfism
GH excess in childhood
gigantism
GH excess in adults
acromegaly: hand & feet enlargement, glucose intolerance, hypermetabolic condition, accelerated atherosclerosis
GH assay methods
assay for IGF1 &/or IGF-1 binding protein to assess GH levels
if liver tumor & cannot use IGF-1 –> test GHRH or L-arginine stimulation & measure GH using immunoassay
FSH, LH, TSH similarities
all are glycoprotein hormones
share same alpha unit
beta unit is hormone specific
FSH in females & males
females: follicle growth (estrogens)
males: produce sperm