Anterior Pituitary

Different from the posterior pituitary because it synthesizes and secretes hormones, while the pituitary secretes hormones produced by the hypothalamus. It is regulated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, which are either releasing hormones or inhibiting hormones. Every anterior pituitary hormone is controlled by at least one releasing hormone; some have both a releasing and an inhibiting hormone. The hypothalamus has direct access to the anterior pituitary via capillaries and portal vessels.

Hormone Cascade Pathways

Sets of hormones from the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary, and a target endocrine gland are often organized into a hormone cascade pathway. Example: when a young childs body temperature drops, several things happen:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The body detects cold and in response the hypothalamus secretes TRH (Thyrotropin-releasing hormone). The TRH targets the anterior pituitary to secrete TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) TSH travels through the bloodstream to the thyroid and acts on the thyroid gland The thyroid gland stimulates release of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolic rate, releasing thermal energy Thyroid hormone blocks TSH release from the anterior pituitary and TRH release from the hypothalamus

Hormone cascade pathways typically involve negative feedback.

Tropic/Nontropic Hormones
Tropic - Regulate the function of endocrine cells or glands - Four major tropic hormones: thyrotropinreleasing-hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Anterior pituitary hormones Nontropic - Target nonendocrine tissues. -Two major nontropic hormones: prolactin and melanocyte-stimulating hormone

- Prolactin has a diverse set of effects among vertebrates

Growth Hormones
Secreted by the anterior pituitary and stimulates growth though tropic and nontropic effects Major target: the liver, which responds to GH by releasing insulin-like growth factors. These IGFs circulate in the blood and directly stimulate bond and cartilage growth. GH also has an effect on metabolism that raises blood glucose levels. Disorders involving GH:
Hypersecretion can lead to gigantism in children and bony growth in adults. Hyposecretion can lead to pituitary dwarfism/a height of about 4 feet. If diagnosed before puberty hyposecretion can be treated with human GH from bacteria programmed with DNA encoding the hormone.