Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary

Table 1. Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary and Their Functions...

Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary Gland Part I. Growth and Adrenocorticotropic Hormones Choh Hao Li... 

The correlation of the hypothalamus and its hormones with the hormones of the anterior pituitary gland is summarized in figure 5.2. There is no direct vascular connection between the hypothalamus and the posterior lobe of the pituitary that would correspond to the portal vein system for the anterior lobe of the gland. Not all hypothalamo-pituitary hormones will be discussed in the subsequent sections. Only those that are well-defined chemical entities or have a direct connection with drug action are considered. 

Collip JB, Anderson EM, Thomson DL (1933) The adrenotropic hormone of the anterior pituitary lobe. Lancet 222 347-8... 

The hormones of the anterior pituitary gland fall into three groups on the basis of structural similarities. Corticotropin (ACTH), the melanotropins (a-MSH and 6-MSH), the lipotropins (B-LPH and y-LPH) and endorphin (b—EP) comprise the first group of closely related flexible polypeptides. 

Many of the hormones of the anterior pituitary gland in turn regulate the activity of other endocrine glands and are known as trophic hormones or trophins. Table 6.2 summarizes the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland and their main actions and clinical uses. See also Figure 6.2. 

E. Bricas and C. Fromageot, Naturally occurring peptides, Advances in Protein Chem. 6,4 (1953). C. H. Li, Hormones of the anterior pituitary gland. Part I. Growth and adrenocorticotropic hormones. Advances in Protein Chem. 11, 102 (1956) Part II. Melanocyte-stimulating and lactogenic hormones. 12, 269 (1957). 

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