Hypothalamic hormones with the pituitary hormone targets

Abstract

The hypothalamus regulates the secretion of both the anterior and posterior pituitary hormones. The regulation of the anterior pituitary is mediated by the hypothalamic hormones. These hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamic neurons, transported along the axons, and released into the hypophysial portal vessels. Eventually, they reach the sinusoid of the anterior pituitary where they interact with their respective receptors on the glandular cells. The neurohypophysial hormones, vasopressin, and oxytocin, are also considered hypothalamic hormones. These two hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamic neurons and transported to the axonal termini in the posterior lobe where they are stored. In response to appropriate stimuli, they are released into general circulation where they regulate distal target tissues.

Keywords

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
Thyrotropin Release Hormone
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activate Polypeptide
Corticotropin RElEASING Hormone
Luteinizing Hormone Release Hormone

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors

Akira Arimura MD, PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, USA
P. Michael Conn
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
P. Michael Conn
Department of Biology Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
Marc E. Freeman

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Arimura, A. (2000). Hypothalamic Hormones. In: Conn, P.M., Freeman, M.E. (eds) Neuroendocrinology in Physiology and Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. //doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-707-9_3

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DOI: //doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-707-9_3
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-153-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-707-9
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Hormones produced by the pituitary gland

The two sections of the pituitary gland produce a number of different hormones which act on different target glands or cells.

Anterior pituitary

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Luteinising hormone (LH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Prolactin (PRL)
Growth hormone (GH)
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Posterior pituitary

Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin

Table of pituitary hormones

Hormone	Target(s)	Function
ACTH	Adrenals	Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol. ACTH is also known as corticotrophin.
TSH	Thyroid	Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, which is called thyroxine. TSH is also known as thyrotrophin.
LH & FSH	Ovaries (women) Testes (men)	Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics. Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. LH and FSH are known collectively as gonadotrophins. LH is also referred to as interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males.
PRL	Breasts	Stimulates the breasts to produce milk. This hormone is secreted in large amounts during pregnancy and breast feeding, but is present at all times in both men and women.
GH	All cells in the body	Stimulates growth and repair. Research is currently being carried out to identify the functions of GH in adult life.
MSH		Exact role in humans is unknown.
ADH	Kidneys	Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys. This hormone is also known vasopressin or argenine vasopressin (AVP).
Oxytocin	Uterus Breasts	Affects uterine contractions in pregnancy and birth and subsequent release of breast milk.

Control of hormone production is monitored continuously and regulated using feedback loops.

You may find the Your Hormones, Society for Endocrinology webiste, useful to find out more: //www.yourhormones.info/

Hormones produced by the Hypothalamus

The secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary is controlled by the production of hormones by the hypothalamus. Although there are a number of different hormones they can be split into two main types:

hormones that tell the pituitary to switch on production of a hormone (a releasing hormone)
hormones that tell the pituitary to switch off production of a hormone (an inhibiting hormone).

The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are produced in the hypothalamus and then passed down a tube between the hypothalamus and the pituitary (the pituitary stalk) when they are then secreted into the blood.

Hormones produced by other glands in the body

In total more than 200 hormones or hormone-like substances have been discovered. In addition to the hormones listed in the table above, five of these hormones are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary.

Hormone	Organ	Function
Cortisol	Adrenals	Cortisol has a number of functions. It promotes normal metabolism, maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure, provides resistance to stress and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also plays a part in regulation of fluid balance in the body.
Thyroxine	Thyroid	Thyroxine controls many body functions, including heart rate, temperature and metabolism. It also plays a role in the metabolism of calcium in the body.
Oestrogen	Ovaries	Oestrogen facilitates growth of the tissues of the sex organs and other tissues related to reproduction. Oestrogen also acts to strengthen bones and has a protective effect on the heart.
Progesterone	Ovaries	Progesterone promotes the changes in the uterus that occur in preparation for the implantation of a fertilised ovum and prepares the breasts for milk production.
Testosterone	Testes	Testosterone is responsible for the characteristics of the masculine body, including hair growth on the face and body and muscle development. Testosterone is essential for the production of sperm and also acts to strengthen bones.

For more information about glands and hormones, as well as educational resources, visit the Society for Endocrinology's 'You and Your Hormones' website

What are the targets of the hypothalamic hormones?

Among the target organs that constitute the hypothalamic-pituitary-target organ axis are the thyroid, the adrenal glands, and the gonads.

What are the main target organs for the hypothalamus and pituitary hormones?

Endocrine gland/ source of hormone	Hormone	Target organ or tissue
Hypothalamus	Numerous releasing factors	Pituitary gland
Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis)	ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone)	Adrenal cortex
	FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)	Ovaries / testes (tubules)
	LH (luteinizing hormone)	Ovaries / testes (Leydig cells)

Endocrine gland/www.gla.ac.uk › external › EBF › EndocrineTablenull

What are the target organs of the pituitary hormones?

Various hormones are released by the anterior and posterior pituitary, which stimulate the release of various hormones and actions in target organs. The thyroid gland, adrenal cortex, gonads (ovaries, testes), kidneys, mammary glands, liver, adipose tissue, and other organs are all targets for the pituitary gland.

What are the 5 hypothalamic hormones?

The hormones produced in the hypothalamus are corticotrophin-releasing hormone, dopamine, growth hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone.