Assist prof. of Medical Physiology. Is an ovoid structure weighing 500 to 600 mg in an adult (0.5 gm). Is located at the base of the brain in a small.
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• Is an ovoid structure weighing 500 to 600 mg in an adult (0.5 gm).
• Is located at the base of the brain in a small cavity called ‘Pituitary Fossa' or ‘Sella Turcica',
• Covered by extension of the dura mater (diaphragma sellae) through which passes the pituitary stalk connecting the gland to the hypothalamus.
Sella Turcica
Diaphragma Sellae
• 75% of the weight of the pituitary gland.• Dark red colour (due to blood sinusoids in between
the secretory cells)
• Staining techniques show two cell types; each form about 50% of the cell :
1. Chromophils 50% : • Acidophils (35-40%)
• Basophils (10-15%).
2. Chromophobes 50%, small cells, devoid of granules and have poor affinity for dyes.
Chromophils :– through specific immunostaining may be either:
• a) Acidophil cells – Somatotrop cells: secrete GH.
– Mammotrop cells: secrete prolactin hormone.
• b) Basophil cells :– Thyrotrop cells: secrete TSH.
– Gonadotrop cells: secrete FSH & LH also called
gonadotrophic hormones.
– Corticotrop cells: secrete ACTH hormone, B-
lipotropeins and gamma MSH.
– So, in man, it secretes 8 hormones:
1.GH (also called somatotropic hormone or somatotropin).
2.Prolactin (also called lactogenic hormone or mammotropin)
3.MSH (also called melanotropin or intermedin).
4.TSH (thyrotropin or thyrotropic hormone).
5.ACTH (or corticotrophin).
6.FSH.
7.LH (in male called interstitial cell stimulating hormone).
8.Beta lipotropins.
N.B.: Adenohypophysis controls all other endocrine glands except PTG, Pancreas and adrenal medulla
– Hypothalamus controls the synthesis and the
release of the ant pituitary hormones through;• Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation.
– Internal Carotid Artery ---> 2 Superior Hypophyseal Arteries
– 1st set of capillaries (In Median Eminence & Neural
Stalk) ---> Portal Veins --->
– 2nd set of capillaries (Sinusoids) (In Anterior Pituitary)
Hypothalamohypophyseal portal
circulation
Evidence:• a) Cutting of the pituitary stalk
– Causes atrophy of the adrenal cortex, the
thyroid and the gonads
– These glands recover after regeneration of the
portal vessels.• b) Transplantation of the ant pituitary under
capsule of kidney also – leads to atrophy of the target glands although
the transplanted pituitary tissue survives.
So the pituitary portal system is essential for the ant
pituitary function.
• The activity of the ant pituitary is affected by
target glands hormones e.g. Thyroxin,
Cortisol and Gonadal steroids.
1) Application of thyroxin to the:
•ant pituitary reduces TSH secretion
•anterior hypothalamus (site of release of TRH)
reduces TSH output but the degree of reduction is
less;
• The feedback mechanism controlling thyroid gland
activity act mainly on the ant pituitary.
2) Application of oestrogen or cortisol to:
– the posterior hypothalamus is much more
effective in reducing gonadotropin or ACTH
release than direct application to the ant pituitary.
The hypothalamus is important in the feed-
back control of the gonads and adrenal
cortex.
Source:• Somatotrop acidophil cells (30-40% of anterior
pituitary cells)
Chemistry:• GH is a protein hormone formed of a single chain
of amino acids (about 191). • Its basal blood concentration level is less than
3ng/ml.
1. On growth: growth promoting factor.
– GH responsible for about 50% of linear growth of
the body.
a) It has a protein anabolic effect in soft tissues:
– increase of weight and bulk of soft tissues except: •Gonads•Adrenals•Thyroid
These are controlled by specific ant pituitary trophic
H.
1. On growth:
b) Increases the length of bones by:1. Stimulate the proliferation of the epiphyseal
cartilage.2. Formation of more protein bone matrix.3. Increases the precipitation of minerals in bones.
• Anabolic effect of GH is potentiated by normal level
of insulin
• By its effect on glucose metabolism, to supply the
energy needed for building up proteins.
II. On metabolism:
1.Protein metabolism:
• GH stimulates protein synthesis by:
1. Increase amino acid transport through the
cell membranes.
2. Increase formation of mRNA.
3. Increase proteins synthesis by ribosomes.
• Inhibit of protein catabolism
II. On metabolism:
2. Carbohydrate metabolism: GH has anti-insulin
action:
1. Inhibits: the hexokinase enzyme and
decreases glucose uptake by tissues.
2. Stimulates: •Glucagon secretion by the pancreas that increase in glycogenolysis in the liver.
•Gluconeogenesis in the liver with more production of glucose.
II. On metabolism:
3. Fat metabolism:
Has powerful lipolytic effect & increase
the blood FFA level
To provides energy during stress
conditions as:
a. Hypoglycaemia
b. Starvation.
Functions of growth hormone:
II. On metabolism:
4. Electrolyte metabolism:
– Increase absorption of Ca++ from GIT.
– Decrease excretion of Na+, K+ and HPO4++
by kidneys.
• GH has no direct anabolic effects.
• Growth promoting actions mediated by a
group of intermediary polypeptide called
Somatomedins.
1) Formed in the liver, in bone cells, and some
other tissues.
2) Structurally similar to proinsulin. So, called:
– Insulin-like growth factors (IGF), 2 types: IGF-I
& IGF-II.
Somatomedins:
• Particularly IGF-I (known as Somatomedin-C),
1) Interact with target organs to induce growth as in
growing cartilage.
2) They also feedback on the pituitary to inhibit GH
secretion.
3) Bind to specific cell membrane receptors.
•That can bind insulin and pro-insulin but with less
affinities.
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