Anterior pituitary Tropic hormones from the anterior pituitary include: •
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) – stimulates the
thyroid gland to make and release
thyroid hormone. •
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) – stimulates the
adrenal cortex to release
glucocorticoids. •
Luteinizing hormone (LH) – stimulates the release of
steroid hormones in
gonads—the
ovary and
testes. •
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – stimulates the maturation of eggs and production of sperm.
Hypothalamus In turn, the
hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary by secreting a class of hypothalamic
neurohormones called
releasing and release-inhibiting hormones—which are released to the
hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system and act on the anterior pituitary. ==See also==