The pituitary gland

 Small gland (1g) at the base of the skull, below the brain.
 Consists of two lobes: anterior and posterior lobes.
The anterior lobe synthesizes and releases hormones whereas the
posterior lobe stores hormones
that have been
synthesized in the
hypothalamus.
There is direct anatomical and physiological connection
between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
(The hypothalamic-pituitary connection).

Two ways of connection:

1- Neural connection:
2- Vascular connection:
Two ways of connection:
1. Neural connection:
between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary.

Hormones from
the hypothalamus are
transmitted through
axons of neurons to be
stored in the posterior
pituitary gland.
2. Vascular connection:
Between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary.

Releasing and
inhibitory hormones
from the hypothalamus
are sent through portal
blood vessels to control
activity of the anterior
pituitary gland.
Hormones of the posterior pituitary:
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Characteristics:
- Also known as vasopressin
- Nona-peptide (9 amino acids)
- Half life: 18 min
- Synthesized in hypothalamus in the:
Supra-optic nucleus: the main site of ADH synthesis.
Paraventricular nucleus: synthesis occurs to a lesser extent.
- Transmitted through axons in the hypothalamo-hypophseal
neural tracts to be stored in the posterior pituitary.
Control:
Release of this hormone is stimulated by:
1. Hyperosmolarity:
Detected by osmoreceptors located at the hypothalamus
2. Hypovolemia:
The volume of ECF is detected by volume receptors located
at the great veins near the heart
3. Hypotension:
The blood pressure is detected by baroreceptors located at
the aortic arch and the carotid bifurcation
4. Angiotensin II:
Receptors:
Vasopressin has two types of cell membrane receptors:
• V 1 receptors: in the blood vessels.
• V 2 receptors: in the collecting ducts & distal part of DCTs
Effects:
- Vasoconstriction
- Water retention
- Glycogenolysis in the liver
- Neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord
- Release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary
Abnormalities:

 ADH deficiency: (diabetes insipidus)

 Excessive ADH secretion: (SIADH)

Oxytocin:
Characteristic:
- Nona-peptide (9 amino acids).
- Half-life: (1-4 min).
- Synthesized in hypothalamus mainly in the paraventricular
nucleus and to a lesser extent in the supra-optic nucleus
-Stored in the posterior pituitary

Target tissues:
Effects
1- Milk ejection: Acts on myoepithelial cells in the breast
tissue causing ejection of milk.
2- Contraction of the uterus: Contracts the smooth
muscle in the uterus during labor.
stimulated by:
- Suckling
- Labor

Control:
Positive feedback mechanism through neuro-endocrine
reflexes
hormones of the anterior pituitary
Prolactin:
- Peptide hormone (199 amino acids)
- Half life: (20 min).
Control
From the hypothalamus by:
- Prolactin releasing hormone (PRLRH)
- Prolactin inhibitory hormone (PRLIH) (dopamine).
Stimuli of PRL:
- Pregnancy (& estrogens)
- Suckling “stimulation of the nipple”
- Sleep
- Stress (& hypoglycemia)
- Exercise
- Thyroid releasing hormone “TRH” (& hypothyroidism)
- Dopamine antagonists (e.g. phenothiazines)
Inhibitors of PRL:
- L-dopa
- Dopamine agonists
Effects of PRL
1. Growth of mammary glands (During pregnancy, together
with estrogen & progesterone).

2. Production of milk:
- Starts after delivery.
- This action is inhibited during
pregnancy by estrogen
& progesterone.

3. Inhibition of gonadotrophins.
Prolactin excess:
• Caused by pituitary tumors.
• Characterized by:
- Infertility in both males and females due to inhibition of
gonadotropin effects.
- Amenorrhoea in females (absence of the menstrual cycle).
- Impotence & loss of lipido in males.
- Osteoporosis in females (due to low estrogens resulting
from the inhibition of gonadotropins).
- Galactorrhoea.