CORTICOTROPHINS

&
GONADOTROPINS
• Pituitary gland:
• Anterior & Posterior lobe of Pituitary gland receives separate neuronal inputs form hypothalamus.
• A)Anterior gland: (Master endocrine Gland) ; Which secrets;
• Growth hormone (GH),
• Prolactin (Prl),
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH, Corticotrophins),
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, Thyrotropin),
• Gonadotropins- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) &
• Luteinizing hormone (LH).
• B)Posterior gland: Which secrets;
• Oxytocin,
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, Vasopressin)
• Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH, also adrenocorticotropin, corticotropin)
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH, corticotrophin) is the anterior pituitary secretion that controls the
synthesis and release of the glucocorticoids of the adrenal cortex .
• It is a 39-residue peptide derived from the precursor pro opiomelanocortin
• The principal effects are increased production and release of cortisol by the cortex of the adrenal gland.
• Regulation of secretion:

Physiological role:
• ACTH plays a role in glucose metabolism and immune function. The circadian rhythm influences cortisol
secretion. The highest levels of cortisol are seen in the early morning, and the lowest levels are in the evening.
This concept is important for diagnostic testing.
• Pathological role:
• Hypo functioning or hyper functioning of pituitary gland resulting in pathological consequences;
• Addison Disease (autoimmune destruction of adrenal cortex causes decreases level of Adrenocorticotrophic
Hormone)
• Cushing's disease (Increased ACTH caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma located in the
pituitary gland produces hyper functioning of gland)
• Uses:
• ACTH is used for the diagnosis of disorders of pituitary adrenal axis.
• When it will injected i.v. 25 IU causes increase in plasma cortisol if the adrenals are functional.
• For therapeutic purposes, ACTH does not offer any advantage over corticosteroids and is more inconvenient,
expensive ,less predictable
 GONADOTROPHINS
• They are LH (Luteinizing hormone) and FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) from pituitary.
• Functions
• The placenta also produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). FSH and LH are secreted under the effect of
gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).
• FSH stimulates growth of ovarian follicles in females and spermatogenesis (Sertoli cells) in males.
• FSH is a hormone found in humans and other animals.
• It is synthesized and secreted by gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary gland. FSH regulates the
development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body.
• Testosterone in males (secreted by Leydig interstitial cells) and progesterone in females , are increased under
the influence of LH.
• The FSH secretion rises during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, reaches a peak by the 14th day and
starts falling when ovulation occurs.
• The level of FSH and LH falls during the post-ovulatory phase, unless fertilization and implantation occur.
• The gonadotropin production is under the feedback control by the sex hormones.
• High levels of FSH and LH are seen in post-menopausal women due to lack of this feedback.
• FSH levels are normally low during childhood and, in females, high after menopause.
• High FSH levels are an indication of subfertility and /or infertility.
• Diminished secretion of FSH can result in hypogonadism. This condition is typically manifested in males as
failure in production of normal numbers of sperm. In females, cessation of reproductive cycles is commonly
observed.
• Serum level of FSH is raised in primary gonadal failure, Klinefelter’s syndrome, alcoholism, menopause,
gonadotropin secreting pituitary tumors.
• Serum level of FSH is decreased in anterior pituitary hypo function, hypothalamic disorders, pregnancy,
polycystic ovary disease, • sickle cell anemia, and hyperprolactinemia.