REB 4. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Target Organ Axes: Feedback Control 2 Flashcards
If there was hypo- or hypersecretion of….it would be primary
If there was hypo- or hypersecretion of….it would be secondary
[1] Anterior Pituitary Cells
[2] Hypophysiotropic Hormones
What is Panhypopituitarism?
it is the decrease in secretion of all the anterior pituitary hormones
What are the causes of Panhypopituitarism?
[1] Congenital
[2] Pituitary Tumour (that destroys gland)
[3] Infarction of Portal Vessels during Pregnancy
- especially, lactotropes can increase in numbers in the pituitary gland, and so the pituitary gland grows, but there is no place for it to grow (since it resides in a bony structure)
What are the causes and symptoms of Panhypopituitary Dwarfism?
Cause: deficiency of anterior pituitary hormones during childhood
Symptoms:
- rate of development greatly decreased
- person never passes through puberty (as they never secrete sufficient quantities of gonadotropic hormones to develop adult sexual functions)
What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of Panhypopituitarism in adults?
Cause: hypothyroidism
Symptoms:
- depressed production of glucocorticoids by adrenal glands
- suppressed secretion of gonadotropic hormones (sexual function is lost)
Treatment: treated with adrenocorticol/thyroid hormones
Although growth hormone is essential for growth, it is not wholly responsible for determining rate and final magnitude of growth, this is dependent on…[4]
[1] Genetic Determination
[2] Adequate Diet
[3] Freedom from Chronic Disease/Stressful Environment
[4] Normal Levels of Growth-Influencing Hormones
- e.g. thyroid hormone + sex hormones
What is the most abundant hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland?
Growth Hormone
Is growth hormone present in adults in whom growth has CEASED?
Yes. But, GH secretion typically declines after middle age
What is the average plasma concentration of GH in ng/mL for an individual who is between age 5 and 20?
6 ng/mL
What is the average plasma concentration of GH in ng/mL for an individual who is between age 20 and 40?
3 ng/mL
What is the average plasma concentration of GH in ng/mL for an individual who is between age 40 and 70?
1.6 ng/mL
What are the target organs that GH binds to so that it can exert its METABOLIC effects? [3]
[1] Adipose Tissue
[2] Skeletal Muscles
[3] Liver
What are the major METABOLIC effects of GH? [3]
[1] Increases the Mobilization of Fatty Acids from Adipose Tissue
- increase in fatty acids in blood
- increased use of fatty acids for energy (conserves glucose for the brain)
[2] Decreased Rate of Glucose Utilization throughout the Body
- increase in blood glucose by decreasing muscle uptake of glucose
- changes result from GH-induced insulin resistance
- effects termed diabetogenic
- excess GH secretion can produce metabolic distubances very similar to type II diabetes!
[3] Increases the Rate of Protein Synthesis in Most Cells of the Body
OVERALL: it uses up fat, conserves carbohydrates, and increases protein synthesis
What is the main way that GH exerts its growth-promoting actions? Is this direct or indirect?
GH exerts most of its growth-promoting effects by INDIRECTLY stimulating Somatomedins
What are Somatomedins?
Somatomedins are a group of proteins that promote cell growth and division in response to stimulation by growth hormone (GH)
They are structurally and functionally similar to insulin and are called Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs)
What are Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs)?
They are also called Somatomedins and they are structurally and functionally similar to insulin
What is the most important Somatomedin/Insulin-Like Growth Factor?
IGF-1 or Somatomedin C
Where is the major source of IGF-1/Somatomedin C circulating?
in liver - then released into blood ony GH stimulation
*side note: it is also produced by most other tissues, but it is not released into the blood
What is the most obvious effect of GH on the body?
growth of bones
What does GH promote growth of bone in?
*hint: there are 2 factors
[1] Growth of Bone Thickness
[2] Growth of Bone Length
How does GH promote the growth of bone? Briefly explain the process.
- increases deposition of protein by chondrocytic (cartilage cells) and osteogenic (bone cells)
- increases the rate of reproduction of these cells
- stimulates differentiation of chondrocytes (cartilage)
- causes deposition of new bone
How does GH promote the growth of bone in WIDTH?
To grow in thickness, osteoblasts are put to work to add a new layer to the bone