Operating through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the anterior pituitary gland also affects the reproductive system. The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Full Answer
Hormones produced by the Hypothalamus The secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary is controlled by the production of hormones by the hypothalamus.
Terms in this set (16) -The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary gland with special hormones called releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones.
The hypothalamus produces separate hormones that stimulate or inhibit hormone production in the anterior pituitary. Hormones from the hypothalamus reach the anterior pituitary via the hypophyseal portal system. The anterior pituitary produces seven hormones.
Almost all secretion by the anterior pituitary is controlled by neurohumoral signals from the hypothalamus. When hypothalamic neurons are stimulated, they secrete releasing or release-inhibiting hormones into portal vessels where they are carried to target cells in the anterior pituitary.
The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary functions by means of peptide hormones secreted, on signal, into the portal blood system that connects them. The peptides either stimulate or inhibit the release of the stored pituitary hormone, apparently, via their interaction with extracellular membrane receptors.
The pituitary gland has two main parts, the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland. The gland is attached to a part of the brain (the hypothalamus) that controls its activity.
The production of these hormones is either stimulated or inhibited by chemical messages sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary. The posterior lobe produces two hormones, vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones are released when the hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland through nerve cells.
The most abundant type of secretory cell in the anterior pituitary is the somatotroph. These cells account for around 50% of the secretory cells in the gland and are principally located in the anterior wings of the gland.