Hormones of the adenohypophysis (anterior lobe)

• 1.
• Growth hormone (GH, somatotrophin). Controls metabolism, especially protein synthesis, and thus controls the physical growth of the body, mainly of bone and muscle.

• Hyposecretion in childhood → dwarfism (small but normal proportions and normal mind).
• Hypersecretion in childhood → gigantism (very tall).
• Hypersecretion in adults → acromegaly: after the long bones have stopped growing, the bones of the extremities (hands, feet, fingers, jaw, and the face bones) thicken and enlarge.

2. Pituitary trophins — tropic hormones that affect the activity and secretion of other glands:

• Thyrotrophin (TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone): stimulates the thyroid gland to make and release thyroxine.
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): stimulates the adrenal cortex.
• Gonadotrophic hormones: affect the gonads (ovaries and testes):
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): in females stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicles up to the Graafian follicle; in males stimulates the seminiferous tubules to make sperms.
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH): in females causes ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum; in males stimulates the interstitial cells of the testes to secrete testosterone. These two are necessary for sexual maturity.

  3. Prolactin: stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk.