Final answer:
The anterior pituitary gland generates seven hormones which are GH, PRL, TSH, MSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH. The hypothalamus exerts control over their production through releasing and inhibiting hormones using the hypophyseal portal system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anterior pituitary gland produces seven key hormones vital for various bodily functions. These hormones are growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanin-stimulating hormone (MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Collectively, TSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH are referred to as tropic hormones due to their role in regulating other endocrine glands.
The production of these hormones by the anterior pituitary is intricately controlled by regulatory hormones from the hypothalamus. These regulatory hormones, which include releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones, travel through the hypophyseal portal system to influence the pituitary's output. The feedback mechanism ensures a balance in hormone levels, with high levels of certain hormones triggering a decrease in their further production and vice versa.