|
|
| Line 6: |
Line 6: |
|
| |
|
| ==Pathophysiology== | | ==Pathophysiology== |
| * The hormones of the anterior pituitary include 2 [[protein]]s, 3 [[glycoprotein]]s and a polypeptide:
| |
| ** [[Prolactin]] (PRL) - stimulates milk production in the [[breast]]
| |
| ** [[Growth hormone]] (GH) - growth and [[glucose]] homeostasis
| |
| ** [[Luteinizing hormone]] (LH) - [[menstrual cycle]] and reproduction
| |
| ** [[Follicle stimulating hormone]] (FSH) - same
| |
| ** [[Thyroid stimulating hormone]] (TSH) - stimulates [[thyroxine]] production in the [[thyroid]]
| |
| ** [[Adrenocorticotropic hormone]] (ACTH) - stimulates [[glucocorticoid]] production in the [[adrenal gland]]
| |
|
| |
| * These hormones excreted are secreted in individually characteristic pulsatile patterns, often with distinct [[circadian rhythm]], rather than at steady rates throughout 24 hours.
| |
| * The posterior pituitary is the site of release of the nonapeptide hormones [[antidiuretic hormone]] (ADH) and [[oxytocin]], the former regulating plasma [[osmolarity]] and the latter regulating [[uterus|uterine]] [[contraction (childbirth)|contractions]] during [[childbirth]] as well milk ejection from the breasts.
| |
| * Deficiency of a single pituitary hormone occurs less commonly than deficiency of more than one hormone. Sometimes referred to as progressive pituitary hormone deficiency or partial hypopituitarism, there is usually a predictable order of hormone loss.
| |
| * Generally, growth hormone is lost first, then luteinizing hormone deficiency follows. The loss of follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotopic hormones and prolactin typically follow much later. The progressive loss of pituitary hormone secretion is usually a slow process, which can occur over a period of months or years. Hypopituitarism does occasionally start suddenly with rapid onset of symptoms
| |
| * Most people with hypopituitarism lack growth hormone as well as one or more others. As for the posterior pituitary, antidiuretic hormone deficiency is the main problem, while oxytocin deficiency rarely causes clinically significant problems.
| |
|
| |
| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Reflist|2}} | | {{Reflist|2}} |