Pituitary And Adrenal Gland

Question 1

What hormones are excreted by the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Answer 1

ADH (anti diuretic hormone/ vasopressin) and oxytocin

Question 2

The adenohypophysis (anterior) potion of the pituitary gland is controlled mostly by: 
Neurohypophysis?

Answer 2

Anterior: hypothalamus
Posterior: nervous tissue

Question 3

The master gland

Answer 3

The pituitary gland

Question 4

Where adrenal glands are located

Answer 4

On top of kidneys

Question 5

ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) controls what portion of the adrenal gland

Answer 5

The cortex: cortex hormones (glucocorticoids, minerlcorticoids, androgens) released based on ACTH levels (feedback loop)

Question 6

What controls the medulla portion of the adrenal gland

Answer 6

Nervous system

Question 7

The medulla of the adrenal gland is responsible for producing what

Answer 7

Catecholamines: epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 8

Role of glucocorticoids produces by cortex, give example

Answer 8

Ex: cortisol 
Promotes glycogenesis (production of glucose via breakdown for energy and storage)

Question 9

What we would give steroids (glucocorticoids) for, what they do

Answer 9

Decreases inflammation, slows healing, inhibits immune system
Give for allergic reactions or swelling

Question 10

Aldosterone is what kind of cortex hormone, what does it do

Answer 10

Mineralocorticoid: works at kidney level for water and Na retention, and K excretion

Question 11

What are androgen cortex hormones

Answer 11

Sex hormones like testosterone

Question 12

What is cushings disease

Answer 12

Hyperadrenocorticism

Question 13

What is Addison’s disease

Answer 13

Hypoadrenocorticism

Question 14

Possible causes of hyperadrenocorticism ( cushings)

Answer 14

Adrenal tumor (primary), pituitary tumor (secondary), iatrogenic cause (too many steroid hormones)

Question 15

Signs of hyperadrenocorticism (cushings)

Answer 15

Pot belly, polyphagia, PU/PD, hair-loss (bi lateral symmetrical), skin changes (too many glucocorticoids, high energy in body)

Question 16

What is Addison’s disease

Answer 16

Hypoadrenocorticism

Question 17

Possible causes of hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)

Answer 17

Tumor, infectious agent, or autoimmune disorder that damages the adrenal gland

Question 18

Signs of hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)

Answer 18

Weak, depressed, PU/PD, vomiting, poor hair coat, arrhythmia
(K retained, Na and Cl lost)

Question 19

What resting cortisol levels can diagnose

Answer 19

Hypoadrenocorticism (low)

Hyperadrenocorticism is not definitive w high levels Bc other things (like physiologic stress) can also increase

Question 20

What are provocative tests? What ones are used to diagnose hyper/hypoadrenocorticism

Answer 20

Administer drug to provoke a response from feedback loop: ACTH stimulation test or dexamethasone suppression test

Question 21

How a ACTH stim Test is done

Answer 21

Take baseline blood sample, administer ACTH, take a 2nd sample 1 hr later, measure cortisol samples in both (normally should increase 2-4x)

Question 22

in an ACTH stim test

What is indicative of hyperadrenocorticism and hypoadrenocorticism

Answer 22

Hyper- second sample v high (4-8x)

Hypo- no change from 1st or 2nd sample, both are low

Question 23

What is dexamethasone, and how is it used to diagnose hyperadrenocorticism

Answer 23

Synthetic cortisol, injected to suppress release of ACTH and thus suppress cortisol release

Question 24

Low dose v high dose dexamethasone suppression test (what they diagnose?)

Answer 24

Low dose: hyperadrenocorticism (confirm after resting cortisol test)
High dose: differentiate primary v secondary hyperadrenocorticism)

Question 25

After dexamethasone is given, the cortisol levels in blood samples should be

Answer 25

Lower than baseline (cortisol in blood tells ACTH to stop, cortisol is suppressed)

Question 26

What we would see for hyperadrenocorticism on a low dose dexamethasone suppression test

Answer 26

The low is not enough to turn off pituitary or adrenal hormones, all samples have same amounts of cortisol

Question 27

Primary v secondary hyperadrenocorticism high dose tests

Answer 27

Primary: baseline is high, other samples after dxm also high Bc adrenal gland continues making cortisol (no suppression)
Secondary: baseline high, others suppressed in cortisol (ACTH is suppressed, causing cortisol to be suppressed)

Question 28

Equine hyperadrenocorticism is also called

Answer 28

Pituitary Pars intermediate dysfunction (PPID) or Equine Cushing’s

Question 29

When does equine hyperadrenocorticism typically occur

Answer 29

Old horses 18+, usu benign pituitary tumors

Question 30

Signs of equine hyperadrenocorticism

Answer 30

Lethargy, pot belly, sweating, PU/PD, hirsutism (overgrowth of hair, fails to shed), prone to infections