This document summarizes the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and their functions. It notes that the anterior pituitary contains five types of cells that secrete important hormones: somatotrophs that secrete growth hormone, thyrotrophs that secrete TSH, gonadotrophs that secrete FSH and LH, lactotrophs that secrete prolactin, and corticotrophs that secrete ACTH. It describes the roles of key hormones like growth hormone, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, and ACTH. It also explains that the secretions of these hormones are regulated by releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus through negative feedback mechanisms.

1. Ms.Anu Sebastian: B.Pharm; M.Pharm
Assistant Professor,
Dept. Of Pharmacology
Nirmala College Of Pharmacy
Muvattupuzha,Ernakulam,K

2. ANTERIOR PITUITARY
 Five types of neurosecretory cells are present in the anterior
pituitary.They are:
 Somatotrophs: It secrete human growth
hormone/somatotropin.It regulate the general body growth &
metabolism.
 Thyrotrophs: It secretes Thyroid stimulating
hormone(TSH)/Thyrotropin. It regulates the synthesis &
secretions of thyroid hormones & other activities of thyroid
gland.

3.  Gonadotrophs: It secrete Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) &
leutinizing hormone(LH). It regulate the development of
oocyte & sperm and the secretion of estrogen, progesterone &
testosterone.
 Lactotrophs: It secrete prolactin which initiates milk production
in the mammary gland.
 Corticotrophs: It secrete ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic
Hormone)/Corticotropin. ACTH stimulate the adrenal cortex to
secrete Glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids & Androgen. It
also secrete MSH, which stimulate melanocytes to secrete
melanin

4. REGULATION OF HORMONAL SECRETION FROM ANTERIOR PITUITARY
The secretions of anterior pituitary are regulated by:
 Releasing & Inhibiting hormones from hypothalamus.
 Negative feed back Mechanism.
GROWTH HORMONE
 It is secreted by Somatotrophs & it is the most plentiful anterior pituitary
hormone.
Functions
 Increases growth rate of skeleton & skeletal muscles during childhood &
teenage years.
 Increases muscle mass & maintain bones.It also promote healing of injuries
and tissue repair.

5. Mechanism
Human growth hormone
Stimulate cells of liver, skeletal muscle ,cartilage Bone
Release Insulin like growth factor(IGF)
Acts on different body cells in the following way:
 Increases amino acid uptake by cells which increases protein
synthesis.
 Increases lipolysis for ATP production.
 Decrease breakdown of proteins & amino acids for ATP
production.
 Decreases glucose uptake which decreases use of glucose for
ATP production.

6. Regulation of Release
 The hormone secretion is regulated by Growth hormone releasing
hormone(GHRH) & Growth hormone-Inhibiting hormone(GHIH).
Low blood glucose level
Stimulate release of GHRH from hypothalamus
Stimulate somatotrophs
Release human growth hormone
hGH stimuate cells to release IGF
IGF converts glycogen to glucose
Blood glucose level rise to normal

7. THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE/TSH
 It stimulate the synthesis & release of T3 & T4 from thyroid gland.
 The secretion of TSH is regulated by Throtropin Releasing Hormone(TRH)
from hypothalamus & negative feedback mechanisms.
FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE
 In female FSH initiates the development of ovarian follicles in each month.
 FSH also stimulate follicle cells to secrete estrogen.
 In male FSH stimulates sperm production in testes.
 The secretion of FSH is regulated by Gonadotropin Releasing
Hormone/GnRH from hypothalamus & Negative feed back mechanism.

8. LEUTINIZING HORMONE (LH)
In female ,
 LH stimulate ovulation
 LH stimulate formation of corpus luteum
 LH stimulate the release of progesterone from corpus luteum.
In male,
 LH stimulate testes to release testosterone
 The secretion of LH is regulated by Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone/GnRH from
hypothalamus & Negative feed back mechanism.
PROLACTIN
 Along with other hormones like oxytocin, It helps in lactation.
 The secretion of prolactin is regulated by :
 PRH(Prolactin-Releasing hormone)
 PIH(Prolactin-Inhibiting Hormone)

9. ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE/ACTH
 ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex for the secretion of
Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids & androgen.
 The secretion is regulated by Corticotropin- releasing hormone/CRH
from hypothalamus & Negative feedback mechanism.
MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE/MSH
 MSH stimulate melanoocytes for the secretion of Melanin, which
increases the skin pigmentation.
 The secretion of MSH is regulated by excessive level of
Corticotropin- releasing hormone/CRH & secretion is inhibited by
Dopamine.

10. THANK YOU