Question

1. This is a very complicated problem. A condition termed panhypopituitarism is a disorder in which secretions from the anterior pituitaryare inadequate. In adults it often develops secondary to compression of the hypophyseal portal circulation, as could occur following a severe head injury or with a brain tumor.
   1. List the specific hormones and their target tissues that would be affected by panhypopituitarism. Which pituitary hormones would be less likely to be affected?
   2. Do you think that the secretion of releasing hormones from the hypothalamus would be increased or decreased in panhypopituitarism?? The answer to this is not entirely known but based on principles of physiological regulation (feedback and all that), you should be able to give an educated guess.

Answer 1

When all pitutory hormones produced from anterior pitutory is deficent or decreased the tem panhypopitutarim is used, when one or two hormone production from the anterior pitutory is affected the term hypopitutarism is used.The following hormone will be affected

GH (growth hormones) plays a role in development and maintanence of bone strength, helps children grow in height. protein production etc.

TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) stimulates production and secretion of thyroid hormones.

ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) controls adrenal production of cortisol, which acts as anti inflamatory, maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

LH and FSH (luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone) puberty hormones that direct gonads (testis and ovaries) to make sex steroids such as estrogen and testosterone.

Prolactin which initiates and maintains milk production in breast.

The pituitary hormone which would be less likely affected would be ADH and oxytocin, as these are produced from the posterior pitutiary gland.

b. Panhypopituitarism causes the deficency or loss of hypothalamic regulatory hormone input to the pituitary which leads to decrease or loss of anterior pituitary secretions.