Neural Regulation of Anterior Pituitary Function

Depressive states can alter significantly the basal rates of pituitary hormone secretion and their circadian rhythms. In fact, depression may be related to periods when hormonal rhythms are out of phase with other rhythms in the body. Circulating levels of sleep-inducible hormones (GH, PRL, LH) are lower in depressive states, whereas that of ACTH is elevated. The basal level of ACTH in a depressed individual is elevated to the extent that it flattens the circadian oscillations of the hormone. These changes resemble those seen during disruptive phase shifts (e.g., east-bound trip, altered work schedule, etc.) and emphasize the importance of CNS influence on the release of anterior pituitary hormones. 

Colao and G. Lombardi Growth-hormone and prolactin exces.s. Lancet 352, 1455 (1998). 

De Roux, J. Young, M. Misrahi, et al. A family with hypogonatropic hy-pogonadi.sm and mutations in the gonatropin-releasing hormone receptor. New England Journal of Medicine 337, 1597 (1997). 

Freeman, B. Kanyicska, A. Lerant, and others Prolactin structure, function, and regulation of secretion. Physiological Reviews 80, 1523 (2(X)0). 

Inzucchi and R. J. Robbins Effects of GH on human bone biology. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 19, 691 (1994). 

---