The anterior pituitary gland, under the control of the hypothalamus, produces trophic and tropic hormones, which stimulate growth and releasing of other hormones respectively.
Adrenal pituitary hormones are:
· Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – stimulates increasing the size and number of cells of the thyroid gland and also stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxine.
· Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates increasing the size and number of cells of the adrenal cortex and stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids, adrenal androgens and aldosterone.
· Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- causes the release of sex steroids from reproductive organs
· Growth Hormone (GH)- promotes lipid and carbohydrate metabolism by stimulating the liver to produce IGF-1 and opposes the action of insulin
· Prolactin-stimulates Secretion of estrogens/progesterone and has a role in milk production (lactation).