PITUITARY GLAND -Pituitary gland is controlled by hormones

produced by the Hypothalamus

-An oval, pear-shaped organ weighing about 0.4 to -Almost all secretions by the Pituitary is controlled
0.9 gms by either Hormonal or Nervous signals from the
-Located in the Hypophyseal fossa in the Sella Hypothalamus
Turcica (Pituitary Fossa)
-Divided into: Anterior Pituitary:
1. Anterior Lobe (Adenohypophysis) -Secretions by the Anterior Pituitary is controlled
2. Posterior lobe (Neurohypophysis) by hormones called Hypothalamic Releasing
Hormones or Inhibitory Hormones
Hypophyseal System:
-A portal system of veins that connect the Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary:
hypothalamus to the anterior lobe of the Pituitary
1.Growth Hormone- Stimulates protein synthesis
gland
and overall growth of most cells and tissues
-The HT secretes Hypothalamic Releasing
2.Adrenocorticotropin (Corticotropin)-
Hormones & Inhibitory Hormones that control the
Stimulates synthesis and secretion of adrenocortical
secretions of the anterior pituitary hormones.
hormones (cortisol, androgens, and aldosterone)
3.Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (Thyrotropin)-
Important Hypothalamic Hormones:
Stimulates synthesis and secretion of thyroid
1.Thyroid releasing hormone – causes release of
hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine)
TSH
4. Follicle stimulating hormone- Causes growth
2.Corticotropin releasing hormone – causes
of follicles in the ovaries and sperm maturation in
release of adrenocorticotropin
Sertoli cells of testes
3.GHRH – growth hormone release
4.GH Inhibitory Hormone – inhibits GH 5.Luteinizing Hormone- Stimulates testosterone
5.GnRH – LH & FSH synthesis in Leydig cells of testes; stimulates
6.Prolactin Inhibitory Hormone ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, and
<take note, if inhibit or releasing gani kay sa estrogen and progesterone synthesis in ovaries
hypothalamus a siya gikan> 6.Prolactin- - Promotes development of the female
breasts and secretion of milk
Embryology:
The two portions of the pituitary originate from Posterior Pituitary:
different sources Hormones of the Post. Pit.:
Anterior Pituitary Posterior Pituitary 1.Oxytocin- Stimulates milk ejection from breasts
Gland Gland and uterine contractions
anterior pituitary from posterior pituitary from a 2.Antidiuretic hormone or Vasopressin-
Rathke’s pouch, which neural tissue outgrowth
Increases water reabsorption by the kidneys and
is an embryonic from the hypothalamus
invagination of the causes vasoconstriction and increased blood
pharyngeal epithelium pressure
origin of the anterior origin of the posterior
pituitary from the pituitary from neural
pharyngeal epithelium tissue explains the
explains the epithelioid presence of large numbers
nature of its cells of glial-type cells in this
gland

Control Of The Pituitary Secretion By The

Hypothalamus
-The Pituitary gland is called the “Master gland”
as it controls many other endocrine glands

Hormones Of The Anterior Pituitary & Their Major
Target Organ
Growth Hormone
-it is metabolized rapidly in part in the liver
Physiologic Actions:
(a) Its major effects are directed to the growth of
skeletal muscles & long bones of the body & thus
plays a role in determining final body size
(b) It is a protein anabolic hormone and produces
positive nitrogen & phosphorus balance; a rise in
plasma phosphorus & a fall in BUN (blood urea
nitrogen); It increases protein synthesis
(c)Effects on CHO & Fat metabolism:
GH is a diabetogenic because it increases hepatic
glucose output & exerts an anti-insulin effect in
muscle
(d) Mineral metabolism
GH promotes a positive calcium, magnesium &
phosphate balance. It promotes growth of long
bones at the epiphyseal plate in growing children &
young adults
Feedback Control of Hormone Secretion
Negative Feedback Prevents Overactivity of
Hormone Systems
Although the plasma concentrations of many
hormones fluctuate in response to various stimuli
that occur throughout the day, all hormones studied
thus far appear to be closely controlled. In most
instances, this control is exerted through negative
feedback mechanisms that ensure a proper level of
hormone activity at the target tissue. After a
stimulus causes release of the hormone, conditions
or products resulting from the action of the
hormone tend to suppress its further release. In
other words, the hormone (or one of its products)
has a negative feedback effect to prevent
oversecretion of the hormone or overactivity at the
target tissue.
The controlled variable is often not the secretory
rate of the hormone itself but the degree of activity
of the target tissue. Therefore, only when the target
tissue activity rises to an appropriate level will
feedback signals to the endocrine gland become
powerful enough to slow further secretion of the
hormone.
Feedback regulation of hormones can occur at all
levels, including gene transcription and translation
steps involved in the synthesis of hormones and
steps involved in processing hormones or releasing
stored hormones.
*** Somatostatin inhibits the Anterior Pituitary
IGF-1 : inhibits Ant. Pit. (direct)
: stimulates SS secretion (indirect)
Physiology Of Growth:
-Growth is a complex phenomena that is affected
not only by GH but also by Thyroid hormones,
Androgens, Estrogens, Glucocorticoids & Insulin
-It is also affected by genetic factors & largely
dependent on adequate nutrition
-The food supply is the most important extrinsic
factor affecting growth
-The diet must be adequate not only in CHON
content but also in essential vitamins & minerals &
in calories so that ingested CHON is not burned for
energy
In humans, there are 2 periods of Rapid growth:
1.Infancy- this first period of rapid growth is partly
a continuation of the fetal growth period
2.Late Puberty-is the period just before growth
stops
-Growth spurt is due to Protein anabolism
effect of Androgens & Estrogens
-Although Androgens & Estrogens
initially stimulate growth, they ultimately
terminate growth by causing the epiphyses
to fuse to the long bones; Once the
epiphyses have closed, linear growth stops
A person of 20 has a body of 7-10 yrs. Old
-A panhypopituitary dwarf does not pass through
puberty & never secrete a sufficient quantity of
Gonadotropic hormone to develop adult sexual
functions
2.Acromegaly
-Increased GH secretion in adults
-Occurs after adolescence, after the epiphysis of the
long bone have fused with the shaft.
-The person can not grow taller but the soft tissue
continues to grow & the bone can grow thick.
-The bones of the hands, feet, forehead & jaw are
enlarged
-Soft tissues like the tongue, liver & kidneys are
enlarged
3.Gigantism
Increased GH secretion before adolescence when
epiphyses of long bones are still open
A person can grow as tall as 8 feet

Rate Of Growth Hormone Secretion Depends On:

1.Starvation especially with severe CHON
deficiency
2.Hypoglycemia
3.Exercise
4.Excitement
5.Trauma
6.During first 2 hours of deep sleep

Clinical Disorders Associated With GH:

1. Dwarfism:
-Results from generalized deficiency of Ant. Pit.
Secretion during childhood (GRH, GH, IGF-I)
-Features of the body develop in appropriate
proportion to one another but the rate of
development is greatly reduced
e.g. A child of 10 yrs. Old has a bodily
development of 4-5 yrs. Old