hormonal and metabolic disorders
Overview of the Pituitary Gland
Anterior lobe hormones
The anterior lobe of the pituitary produces and releases (secretes) six main hormones: Adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), also calledcorticotropin, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other hormones Follicle-stimulating hormoneandluteinizing hormone(the gonadotropins), which stimulate the testes to produce sperm, the ovaries to produce eggs, and the sex organs to produce sex hormones (testosteroneandestrogen) Growth hormone,which regulates growth and physical development and has important effects on body shape by stimulating muscle formation and reducing fat tissue Prolactin,which stimulates the mammary glands of the breasts to produce milk Thyroid-stimulating hormone,which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones The anterior lobe also produces several other hormones, including one that causes the skin to darken (beta-melanocyte–stimulating hormone) and ones that inhibit pain sensations (enkephalins and endorphins) and help control the immune system (endorphins). 