Endocrinology Quiz: Pituitary Hormones

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of growth hormone (GH) in adults?

Growth hormone helps to maintain healthy muscle and bone mass in adults.

Which hormones regulate the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones?

The secretion of anterior pituitary hormones is regulated by releasing hormones (RH) and inhibitory hormones (IH) from the hypothalamus.

What condition can result from the hyperfunction of growth hormone before puberty?

The hyperfunction of growth hormone before puberty can lead to gigantism.

In what physiological condition does serum prolactin concentration increase substantially?

Serum prolactin concentrations increase substantially during pregnancy. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperprolactinemia and what are its possible causes?

Hyperprolactinemia is the hypersecretion of prolactin, which can be caused by both physiological conditions, like pregnancy, and pathological conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of growth hormone hypofunction in children?

Hypofunction of growth hormone in children can lead to dwarfism. Signup and view all the answers

List two hormones secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

The posterior lobe secretes vasopressin and oxytocin. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hypothalamus play in the regulation of pituitary hormones?

The hypothalamus controls the secretion of pituitary hormones through releasing and inhibitory hormones. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common symptoms of prolactinoma in women?

Common symptoms include infertility, galactorrhea, irregular periods, amenorrhea, and breast pain. Signup and view all the answers

What treatment is commonly prescribed for prolactinoma?

The dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine is commonly prescribed to treat prolactinoma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)?

ACTH promotes the production of cortisol, which helps reduce stress and maintain healthy blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

How does luteinizing hormone (LH) function differently in men and women?

In women, LH maintains estrogen levels and regulates progesterone and ovulation; in men, it regulates testosterone production. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in reproduction.

FSH stimulates the release of estrogen in women and is essential for normal sperm production in men. Signup and view all the answers

What is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and where is it produced?

HCG is a hormone of human pregnancy produced by the trophoblast of the placenta. Signup and view all the answers

What are two medical conditions that can be treated with bromocriptine besides prolactinoma?

Bromocriptine can also be used to stop lactation and to treat infertility due to hyperprolactinemia. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and its importance?

TSH regulates the thyroid gland, crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is critical for adapting the human organism to internal and external environmental changes.
A hormone is a substance produced by one cell type, transported by the bloodstream, and triggers a response in distant target cells.

Pituitary Hormones

The pituitary gland, also called the "master gland", is a small gland at the base of the brain.
The pituitary is controlled by the hypothalamus and feedback mechanisms from target glands.
It is composed of two lobes:
- The anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) secretes ACTH, GH, FSH, LH, TSH, and prolactin.
- The posterior lobe (neurohypophysis) secretes vasopressin and oxytocin.
Pituitary hormone secretion is regulated by releasing hormones (RH) and inhibitory hormones (IH) from the hypothalamus, transported via the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal circulation. An example of a releasing hormone is TSHRH from the hypothalamus.

Growth Hormone

Growth hormone promotes growth in childhood and maintains muscle and bone mass in adults.
Growth is facilitated by anabolic action.
Regulation involves releasing hormones (GH-RH) and inhibitory hormones (GH-RIH, or somatostatin) from the hypothalamus.
Dysfunction of the growth hormone can lead to conditions like dwarfism (before puberty) or acromegaly (after puberty) depending on the age of onset.

Prolactin

Prolactin stimulates milk production in women.
In men, low prolactin levels may be associated with sexual problems; however, most men don't utilize prolactin.

Disorders of Prolactin Secretion

Hyperprolactinemia is characterized by the hypersecretion of prolactin.
Causes can be physiological (like pregnancy or breastfeeding) or pathological (like prolactinoma).

Symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia

In women: Infertility, galactorrhea (abnormal lactation), irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea (absence of ovulation), and breast pain.
In men: Impotence, gynecomastia (breast tissue development).
Treatment typically involves dopaminergic agonists like bromocriptine.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

ACTH promotes cortisol production, which helps manage stress and maintain blood pressure.
The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, comprise an outer cortex and inner medulla.
The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones (mineralocorticoids like aldosterone and glucocorticoids like cortisol and cortisone).
The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

TSH regulates the thyroid gland, promoting metabolism.
TSH release is controlled by hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

In women, LH maintains estrogen levels, regulates progesterone, and facilitates ovulation.
In men, LH regulates testosterone production.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

FSH stimulates estrogen release in women and sperm production in men.

Placental Hormone (HCG)

HCG, a placental hormone, is essential in human pregnancy.

Posterior Pituitary Hormones

The posterior pituitary gland produces oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Oxytocin is involved in uterine contractions and milk ejection after childbirth.
ADH regulates water balance in the body.

ADH Regulation and Deficiency

ADH's release is regulated by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus and baroreceptors in the cardiovascular system.
ADH deficiency results in diabetes insipidus.
Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH used in treating diabetes insipidus.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the functions and regulations of various pituitary hormones in adults. This quiz covers topics such as growth hormone, prolactin, and their implications in health and disease. Ideal for those studying endocrinology or related fields.