HORMONES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND

HORMONES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND :

The hormone produced in the pituitary gland are basically proteinaceous in nature. The pituitary gland generally consists of 3 parts:

(i) Anterior Lobe

(ii) Intermediate lobe

(ii) Posterior lobe.

The hormones secreted from the anterior lobe of pituitary are described as follows.

(i) Growth Hormone (GH) or Somatropic Hormones (STH) : It regulates the overall carbohydrate metabolism and growth. Excess secretion of this hormone causes excessive growth resulting in giantism. Optimum secretion of this hormone leads to proportionate and normal growth. Very low rate of secretion of this hormone leads to dwarfism

(ii) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone or ACTH : This pituitary hormone controls the development of the adrenal cortex. This hormone influences the development and growth of the different parts(zones) of the adrenal cortex as well as medulla and regulates the production of chemicals in them.

(iii) TTH (The Thyrotrophic Hormone) or TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) controls the activity and synthesis of the hormone of the thyroid gland.

(iv) The Gonadotrophic Hormones (GTH) : This Hormone influences the growth and development of ovarian

follicles and corpus luteum. This hormone regulates the secretion of hormones by the interstitial cells of the testis. The hormone responsible for growth of ovarian follicles is known as the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).

(v) Prolactin Inhibitor Factor (PIF) : This hormone is secreted from the hypothalamus. This hormone inhibits the production of milk in the mammary glands. Thus milk is not secreted before the motherhood.

(vi) Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone(MSH) or Melanotropic Hormone (MTH) or Intermedin : This hormone is secreted from the intermediate lobe of Pituitary. This hormone is responsible for altering the skin color.

(vii) Oxytocin : This hormone is secreted from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. This hormone is of a polypeptide nature. Oxytocin is concerned with contraction of uterus and rapid secretion of milk from the lactating, mammary gland of women.

(viii) Vasopressin or Antiduretic Hormone (ADH) : This hormone is also secreted from the posterior lobe of the pituitary and is of polypeptide nature. This hormone controls

(i) viscosity of arterial blood.

(ii) the constriction of arteries and

(iii) osmoregulation in kidney and body.