Page 758 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

Secrete somatotropin or growth hormone for cell metabolism and general

body growth
Somatotropin also stimulates liver to produce somatomedins
Somatomedins influence cartilage cells in epiphyseal plates to increase
growth in length
Somatostatin inhibits release of growth hormone from somatotrophs

Mammotrophs

Produce prolactin that stimulates mammary gland development during
pregnancy

Prolactin maintains milk production after parturition
Release of prolactin inhibited by inhibitory hormone called dopamine

Thyrotrophs

Release thyroid-stimulating hormone that stimulates thyroid gland hormones
Thyroid cells produce thyroglobulin, thyroxin, and triiodothyronine

Gonadotrophs

Secrete both follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
In females, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates follicular development,
maturation, and estrogen production

In males, follicle-stimulating hormone promotes spermatogenesis and
androgen-binding protein secretion by Sertoli cells
In females, luteinizing hormone induces follicular maturation, ovulation, and
corpus luteum formation

Corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone
In males, luteinizing hormone stimulates interstitial cells in testes to produce
testosterone (androgens)

Corticotrophs

Secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone to regulate adrenal cortex functions
Feedback mechanism controls further synthesis and release of specific
hormones

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