Hormones of the pituitary gland and functions are as stated below:
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
|
Gland
|
Name of the Hormone with Abbreviation
|
Main targets
|
Primary functions
|
|
Posterior Pituitary Gland
|
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
|
Kidneys
|
Promotes water retention by kidneys
|
|
Oxytocin
|
Uterus & Mammary glands
|
Stimulates labor and induces ejection of milk from mammary glands respectively
|
|
Anterior Pituitary Gland
|
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
|
Thyroid gland
|
Stimulates thyroid for secretion of T3 and T4
|
|
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
|
Adrenal cortex
|
Stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids from adrenal cortex
|
|
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
|
Gonads -Ovaries & Testes
|
stimulate secretion of sex hormones from the gonads (egg and sperm production)
Stimulates egg maturation and estrogen secretion (Female)
Stimulates the formation of sperm (Male)
|
|
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
|
|
Prolactin (PRL)
|
Mammary glands
|
Stimulates milk production
|
|
Growth hormone (hGH)
|
Most cells
|
Promotes growth (cell division and protein synthesis etc.)
|
|
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
|
Melanocytes in skin
|
Regulates skin color
|
