Question
Mention the principal hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and their function.
Answer
- Growth hormone (GH): It regulates growth and development in children and adults.
- Prolactin (PRL): It stimulates milk production in females during pregnancy and after childbirth.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): It stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): It stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): In females, it stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles and the production of estrogen, while in males, it stimulates the production of sperm.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH): In females, it triggers ovulation and stimulates the production of progesterone. In males, it stimulates the production of testosterone.