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Hormones of posterior pituitary

Dr. Rizwan Ali Talpur

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 Posterior pituitary hormones…
• Unlike anterior pituitary, posterior pituitary
stores hormones secreted by nerve endings of
hypothalamus, and secrete at time of need.

• Hormones are Antidiuretic

hormone/vasopressin from supra-optic
nucleus & oxytocin from paraventricular
nucleus.

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ADH…
• Acts on kidneys, causing water reabsorption.

• Defends plasma osmolarity & volume of ECF.

• Stimulus – state of water deficit in body.

• Inhibition – state of excess water in body.

• Action – to decrease osmolarity and increase the blood pressure.

• Role in kidneys – insertion of new aquaporin-2.

• Role in CVS – acts on blood vessels causing vasoconstriction.

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Mechanism of action of ADH in kidney…
• 5 types of aquaporin have been identified (1,2,3,4,5).

• ADH works via aquaporin 2 insertion through V2 receptors.

• Increases permeability of principal cells of late distal

tubules & collecting duct to facilitate water reabsorption.

• In CVS it acts through V1A receptors to increase

vasoconstriction at arteriolar level & through V1B receptors
over anterior pituitary to increase ACTH levels; which will
increase cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline & noradrenaline
levels.
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Regulation of ADH secretion…
• Osmo-receptors are present in anterior pituitary which sense plasma
osmolarity.

• When plasma osmolarity increases it causes shrinkage of osmoreceptors,

which get activated and send signal to SON, then forwarded to posterior
pituitary to release ADH.

• Low pressure (volume) receptors present in atria and great veins, and
high pressure receptors in arteries affect ADH secretion via decreased
vagal activity & increased firing from Nucleus Tractus Solitarius of
medulla.

• ADH released in blood reaches kidney, where increases water absorption

to normalize osmolarity.
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Disorders of ADH secretion…
1. Diabetes inspidius
• Cause:
 Deficiency of ADH release(central) – Low ADH.
 Decreased response to ADH from kidney(nephrogenic) – ADH normal
or elevated.
• Symptoms: polyuria, polydipsia & dehydration

2. Syndrome of inappropriate hypersecretion of ADH (SIADH)

• Excessive ADH released from CNS, lung cancer/infection, and drugs;
irrespective of plasma osmolarity.
• Causes reduction in aldosterone secretion – causing loss of salt from
body
• Diagnostic points: high ADH, low plasma osmolarity, low aldosterone,
high urine osmolarity, hyponatremia 8
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Oxytocin…
 Functions:
• Milk ejection – contraction of myoepithelial cells of lactating
breast.
• Increased uterine contractions during labor – by positive
feedback mechanism till child is born.
• Bonding between mother & child.
• Contraction of Vas deferens in male to help sperm transport.

 Regulation:
• Suckling of breast
• Dilatation of cervix/ sexual activity
• Emotional – hearing infant cry in night 10
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Thanks…

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