Hypothalamus/Pituitary Hormones

Hormone names, targets, effects

ADH

Antidiuretic/vassopressin. Posterior. Kidney. Increase water uptake from urine collecting duct back to bloodstream when dehydrated

Oxytocin

Posterior. Uterus, brain. Contraction, pair bonding

GnRH

Gonadotropin releasing. Anterior (from hypothalamus) to make FSH, LH

FSH

Follicle stimulating. Anterior. To gonads. Ovary follicle growth, sperm maturation. From GnRH in hypothalamus

LH

Luteinizing. Anterior. To gonads. Cause ovulation, make androgens. From GnRH in hypothalamus

TRH

Thyroid releasing. Anterior (from hypothalamus) to make TH (thyroid)

TH

Thyroid. Anterior. To thyroid. Release T3, T4 thyroid hormones. From TRH in hypothalamus.

DA

Dopamine. Anterior (from hypothalamus) to suppress prolactin, stop milk production in mammary glands

Prolactin

Anterior. Suppressed by DA (dopamine) from hypothalamus to inhibit milk production in mammary glands

GHRH

Growth Hormone Releasing. Anterior (from hypothalamus) to make GH (growth hormone)

GH

Growth hormone. Anterior. To all cells for growth, protein synth, catabolism, lipid mobilizing from storage to blood. From GHRH in hypothalamus.

CRH

Corticotropin releasing. Anterior (from hypothalamus) to make ACTH (adrenocorticotropic)

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic. Anterior. To adrenal glands for cortisol secretion. From CRH (corticotropin releasing) in hypothalamus

GnRH pathway

Gonadotropin releasing (hypothalamus) → FSH/LH (ant pit) → Gonads → Follicle growth, sperm maturing/ovulation, testosterone

TRH pathway

Thyroid releasing (hypothalamus) → Thyroid H (ant pit) → Thyroid → T3,T4 released

DA pathway

Dopamine (hypothalamus) → Prolactin suppression (ant pit) → Mammary Glands → Lower milk production

GHRH pathway

Growth hormone releasing (hypothalamus) → Growth H (ant pit) → all cells → growth, protein synth, catabolism, lipid mobilization

CRH pathway

Corticotropin releasing (hypothalamus) → Adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) (ant pit) → Adrenal glands → Cortisol secretion