Pituitary Gland Hormones - Common Pituitary Gland Hormones
Endocrine System Topic Posted by David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
Hormones produced by the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, just behind the bridge of the nose. Although a small structure, the pituitary makes many important hormones that have effects on body functions. The following are the different hormones produced by the pituitary gland and their major effects.
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone, or GH, helps regulate growth of body structures, especially during puberty or adolescence. Know more about growth disorders associated with abnormalities in growth hormone production and secretion.
Prolactin
Prolactin has a major effect on the formation of breastmilk in nursing mothers. In addition, this hormone has effects on bone strength. Overproduction of prolactin in the blood can be due to a tumor, a condition called prolactinoma.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), also called adrenocorticotropin, influences the production of cortisol and other hormones by the adrenal glands.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), also called thyrotropin, has an important function in stimulating production and release of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Too much or too little production of TSH can lead to thyroid problems including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Luteinizing Hormone
Luteinizing hormone, or LH, helps in stimulating the ovaries in females and testes in males to produce sex hormones, which determine many features of “femaleness” and “maleness”.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle stimulating hormone regulates fertility in men and women. In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce sperm. FSH, in women, helps in triggering ovulation, which is the release of mature egg cell from the ovary.
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The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, just behind the bridge of the nose. Although a small structure, the pituitary makes many important hormones that have effects on body functions. The following are the different hormones produced by the pituitary gland and their major effects.
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone, or GH, helps regulate growth of body structures, especially during puberty or adolescence. Know more about growth disorders associated with abnormalities in growth hormone production and secretion.
Prolactin
Prolactin has a major effect on the formation of breastmilk in nursing mothers. In addition, this hormone has effects on bone strength. Overproduction of prolactin in the blood can be due to a tumor, a condition called prolactinoma.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), also called adrenocorticotropin, influences the production of cortisol and other hormones by the adrenal glands.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), also called thyrotropin, has an important function in stimulating production and release of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Too much or too little production of TSH can lead to thyroid problems including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Luteinizing Hormone
Luteinizing hormone, or LH, helps in stimulating the ovaries in females and testes in males to produce sex hormones, which determine many features of “femaleness” and “maleness”.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle stimulating hormone regulates fertility in men and women. In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce sperm. FSH, in women, helps in triggering ovulation, which is the release of mature egg cell from the ovary.
Related Reading:
The Pituitary GlandPage Last Revised: November 27, 2010
Endocrine System
Hormones
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