Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Hypothalamic Regulation of Anterior Pituitary Function

2017; Springer Science+Business Media; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/b978-0-12-804169-7.00002-7

1573-7403

Anat Ben-Shlomo, Шломо Мелмед,

Stress Responses and Cortisol

Since their close interaction was recognized almost a century ago, there has been considerable progress in our knowledge of the anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological aspects of hypothalamic regulation of the pituitary gland. Discovery of pituitary hormones was followed by isolation of hypothalamic neuropeptides that regulate their respective synthesis, their cognate receptors, and multiple intrapituitary signaling pathways. Extensive feedback mechanisms, essential for appropriate neuroendocrine hormonal regulation and brain networking, act to control hypothalamic neuropeptide action on pituitary and ultimately target gland responses. This chapter focuses on the hypothalamic–pituitary unit, including anatomy and histology, and the hypothalamic hormones regulating pituitary function including thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, and somatostatin- and prolactin-regulating hormones. Mechanisms underlying hypothalamic hormone production, localization, and regulation and their effect on cognate pituitary receptors are described. These functions are geared towards integration of metabolic and trophic hormone homeostasis.