Table 1. Hypothalamic-Anterior Pituitary-Target Organ Axis
Hypothalamic
hormone (HH)
Cell type in
Anterior
Pituitary that
HH acts on
Effect of HH on Anterior
Pituitary
Target organ(s) of AP
hormone
Target organ response
to AP hormone
Thyrotropin-Releasing
Hormone (TRH)
Thyrotropes Stimulates release of TSH
(thyrotropin)
Thyroid gland Synthesis/secretion of
Thyroid Hormone (T3 &
T
4
)
Corticotropin-Releasing
Hormone (CRH)
Corticotropes Stimulates release of ACTH Adrenal cortex Release of cortisol to
mediate the stress
response
Gonadotropin-Releasing
Hormone (GnRH)
Gonadotropes Stimulates release of LH & FSH gonads Release of steroid
hormones, gamete
production in gonads
Growth Hormone-
Releasing Hormone
(GHRH)
Somatotropes Stimulates release of GH Variety of organs/tissues
(i.e. liver, bone, muscle,
cartilage)
IGF-I production &
secretion, important for
growth & development,
metabolism
Growth Hormone-
Inhibiting Hormone
(GHIH)
Somatotropes Inhibits release of GH Variety of organs/tissues
(i.e. liver, bone muscle,
cartilage)
Inhibits IGF-I
Prolactin-Releasing
Hormone (PRH)
Lactotropes Stimulates release of prolactin Mammary glands Enhances breast growth
and milk secretion
Prolactin-Inhibiting
Hormone (PIH)
Lactotropes Inhibits release of prolactin Mammary glands Inhibits breast growth
and milk secretion
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