Pituitary Hormones Clinical Chemistry Review 108
HORMONE REGULATES COMMENTS
Anterior pituitary
ACTH
FSH
Growth hormone (GH)
LH
Prolactin (PRL)
TSH
Production of adrenocortical
hormones by adrenal cortex
Sperm & egg production
Protein synthesis, cell growth, &
division
Maturation of follicles, ovulation,
production of estrogen, proges-
terone, testosterone
Lactation
Production of T 3 & T 4 by thyroid
Regulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from hypo-
thalamus. Diurnal variation: highest levels in early am, lowest in
late afternoon. ↑Cushing’s disease. Collect on ice. Store frozen.
Regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from
hypothalamus. Sharp ↑just before ovulation.
Regulated by growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) &
somatostatin from hypothalamus. ↑gigantism, acromegaly.
↓dwarfism.
Regulated by GnRH from hypothalamus. Sharp ↑just before
ovulation. Home ELISA kits to detect ovulation.
Regulated by prolactin-releasing factor (PRF) & prolactin-
inhibiting factor (PIF) from hypothalamus.
Regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from
hypothalamus. ↑hypothyroidism. ↓hyperthyroidism.
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