Pituitary Pharmacology and Physiology

Table of Contents
Introductory Short Video Overview Anatomy Pituitary Gland Anatomy Video Master Gland Pituitary Hormones Video Overview Growth Hormone Prolactin Luteinizing Hormone Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Adrenocorticotropin Vasopressin Oxytocin Feedback Relationships Gonadal Adrenal cortex Thyroid Pituitary Control: Hypothalamus Secretion Control Pituitary and Hypothalamic Hormones Physiological Consequence of Pituitary Tumors Hypothalamic disease Anatomy: Pituitary Anatomy: Hypthalamus Mechanisms of Hormone Action Overview GHRH, Somatostatin, PRH, TSH, CRH, ACTH, GnRH, FSH, LH, and Dopamine receptors Growth hormone and Prolactin receptors GHRH and GHRPs Overview Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics: GHRH and GHRP Clinical Use Toxicity Somatostatin Overview Octreotide Overview Clinical Use Adverse Effects Growth Hormone Overview Regulation Chemistry Pharmacokinetics Pharmacological Effects Deficiency Adverse Effects Impaired response Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (Protirelin, TRH) Overview Chemistry/Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Pituitary Tumors Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (Thyrotropin, TSH) Overview Chemistry Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Use Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) Overview Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Overview Chemistry Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Use	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH., luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone {LHRH};Gonadorelin) Overview Chemistry Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Uses Diagnostic Applications Therapeutic Applications Toxicity Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Overview Function Modified FSH molecules Leutinizing-Hormone Gonadotropins (hMG, Menotropins and FSH, Urofollitropin) Overview Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Uses Toxcities Other Effects Contraindications Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Overview Function Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clincial Uses Diagnostic Therapeutic Toxicity Contraindications Prolactin Structure Function Abnormal Levels Deficiency Excess Bromocriptine and Other Dopamine Agonists Overview Mechanism of Action Effects on Other Hormones Clinical Uses Adverse Effects Posterior Pituitary Hormones Overview Oxytocin Chemistry Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Uses Toxicity Contraindications Vasopressin Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Clinical Use Toxicity Hypothalamic-Pituitary Agents

"What is the Pituitary Gland?"

Broyles, P "What is the Pituitary Gland?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJj_-3dZ4ZQ "Dr. Francis Broyles explains what a pituitary gland is, which is the size of a pea. The pituitary sits on the under portion of the brain. It is often referred to as the master gland and makes a variety of hormones that are important in controlling hormonal systems through the body. The pituitary gland controls the thyroid gland, adrenocorticotropic gland, the reproductive system, and produces growth hormones as well as prolactin. It is a very important gland for the sustainability of life."

Overview/Background

Pituitary is sometimes considered a Master Gland which produces six major hormones and stores two.

Anatomy

"Pituitary Gland Anatomy"

Mullally A "Pituitary Gland Anatomy" Video Citation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FfXZ0M2SsUandfeature=c4-overview-vl Other excellent videos by this contributor: Mullally A: https://www.youtube.com/user/bullharrier

Midsagittal section through human pituitary

**Midsagittal section of a human pituitary gland**

Midsagittal section of a human pituitary gland; courtesy of Robert H. Parsons, used with permission.

Sagittal section of a human pituitary, showing the relationship of its blood supply to the hypothalamic neurosecretory cells in the adenohypophysis

Sagittal section of a human pituitary, showing the relationship of its blood supply to the hypothalamic neurosecretory cells in the adenohypophysis. Neurosecretory neurons are shown secreting releasing factors into the capillary networks giving rise the long and short hypophyseal portal vessels, respectively. The releasing hormones reach the hormone-secreting cells of the anterior lobe via the portal vessels. The relationship of its blood supply to the hypothalamic neurosecretory cells in the adenohypophysis is shown and is the relationship of its blood supply to the neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus Courtesy of Robert H. Parsons, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, used with permission

Sagittal section of a human pituitary, showing the relationship of its blood supply to the neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus

"Sagittal section of a human pituitary, showing the relationship of its blood supply to the neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. The neuron labeled N represent a neurosecretory cell releasing ADH (antidiuretic hormone) or oxytocin at its axon terminals into the capillaries giving rise to the venous drainage of the posterior lobe. " Courtesy of Robert H. Parsons, used with permission

Primary Reference: Fitzgerald, P.A. and Klonoff, D.C. Hypothalamic and Pituitary Hormones, in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, (Katzung, B. G., ed) Appleton-Lange, 1998, pp 603-618.

Primary Reference: Biller, Beverly M. K. and Daniels, Gilbert, H. Neuroendocrine Regulation and Diseases of the Anterior Pituitary and Hypothalamus, In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 14th edition, (Isselbacher, K.J., Braunwald, E., Wilson, J.D., Martin, J.B., Fauci, A.S. and Kasper, D.L., eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc (Health Professions Division), 1998, pp 1972-1998.