By Krista & Mandy

•it weighs about >0.5g• 1 of 2 functionally distinct parts • makes up 75% of the total weight of the pituitary • also known as: adenohypophysis

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/structur.htm

There are 6 major hormones:• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)• Growth Hormone (GH)• Prolactin Hormone (PRL)• Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH)

• Target: Thyroid • causes synthesis and secretion of triiodothyronine and thyroxine by the thyroid gland• factors that affect the release of TRH from hypothalamus: blood levels, glucose and the body’s metabolic rate• Deficiency: Metabolism, Cardiovascular, GT tract, and Motor Nervous System• What can go wrong? - congenital problems affecting any of the pituitary hormones, loss of midline structures like septo-optic dysplasia causing loss of the optic nerve.

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/tsh.htm

• Target: Ovaries in females & testes in malesInduces ovulation in females & stimulates secretion of oestradiol and progesterone in femalesActs on Leydig cells of testes to produce testosterone in males & maintains spermatogenesis, the production of sex hormone binding globulin• Deficiency: Irregular menstrual cycle, affected production of sperm, infertility or impotence• What can go wrong? amenorrhoea, creating a lack of ovulation in females and infertility in men, failure of gondal function

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/FSH%26LH.htm

• Target: All cells in the body• controls 2 hypothalmic hormones 2 types of IGP’s, IGP 1 & IGP 2• factors that affect GHRH are stress, sleeping,exercise and blood glucose levels• Deficiency: under development of bone, soft tissue,viscera and the metabolism, weakness• What can go wrong? Gigantism, acromegaly, insulin resistance, GH secreting tumors

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/gh.htm

• Target: Breasts• Initiates and maintains milk secretion by the mammary glands• May play a part in fertility and maternal behaviour• Deficiency: little or no production of breast milk, problems with fertility•What can go wrong? High levels can lead to loss of reproductive function and inappropriate milk production

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/prl.htm

• Target: Adrenals• Controls the production of glucocorticoids by adrenal cortex, stimulating conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone - a precursor of cortisol•ACTH - released from pituitary following a circadian rhythm - peaking in the morning then declines• Deficiency: stressed out•What can go wrong? Cushing Syndrome body tissue exposed to cortisol for long periods of time

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/ACTH.htm

http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/function.htm

• changes in weight (gain or loss)• swollen or enlarged body parts• blood pressure problems• personality changes• skin changes• temperature sensitivity• weakness• irregular menstruation cycle• infertility/ impotence

Farr, Dr. Gary. "The Pituitary Gland." Become Healthy Now. 10 June 2002. 05 June 2009 <http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/734/>.

"Pituitary Tumor." Health News - The New York Times. 18 Mar. 2008. 05 June 2009 <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/pituitary-tumor/overview.html>.

"Site Map." Faculty of Life Sciences ELP: e-Learning Projects. 06 June 2009 <http://www.elp.manchester.ac.uk/pub_projects/2000/mnby6kas/sit emap.htm>.