Name: Kidney Hormones
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 36 s
Description: Apart from excretion, kidneys produce hormones that influence the functions of other organs. Do kidneys have a say in red blood cell production and calcium m...

Question

Give an account of the secretions of pituitary gland.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is a small unpaired round body located immediately beneath the hypothalamus. It is divided anatomically into anterior pituitary or adenohypophysis, pars intermedia and posterior pituitary or neurohypophysis.

The anterior pituitary produces six important peptide hormones:

Growth Hormone (GH): It stimulates mostly the cells of the liver to produce · insulin-like growth factor (IGFs). They also promote growth of the entire body by accelerating protein synthesis, cell· division and cell differentiation.

Prolactin: It is also called lactogenic hormone that causes enlargement of the mammary glands of the breasts and prepare them for the production of milk.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) : It stimulates the synthesis and secretions of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Controls the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids, by the adrenal cortex.

Follicle Stimulalting Hormone (FSH): It stimulates growth and development of the ovarian follicles in females. In males FSH, along with the androgens, regulates spermatogenesis.

Luteinizing hormone (LH): In males it stimulates the interstitial cells of Leydig of the testes for the synthesis and secretion of hormones called androgens. In females, this hormone stimulates 'ovulation' from the fully mature Graafian follicles.

Pars intermedia secretes only one hormone called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone can darken the hair by increasing deposition of melanin in the developing hair shaft.

Posterior pituitary or Neurohypophysis: It stores and releases two hormones called oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH). They are small chain peptides. Oxytocin works on the smooth muscles of the body and induces their contraction. In a female it stimulates parturition during childbirth and ejection of milk from the mammary glands.

Give an account of the secretions of pituitary gland.

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