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Related Concept Videos

Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Regulation of Hormone Secretion01:19

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation01:26

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...

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TRH acts as a multifunctional hypophysiotropic factor in vertebrates.

Ludovic Galas1, Emilie Raoult, Marie-Christine Tonon

  • 1Regional Platform for Cell Imaging (PRIMACEN), European Institute for Peptide Research (IFRMP 23), University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France.

General and Comparative Endocrinology
|May 14, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) exhibits diverse functions across vertebrates, stimulating different pituitary hormone releases depending on the species. Its conserved structure and varied roles highlight its evolutionary significance in endocrine regulation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Comparative Physiology
  • Molecular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a conserved hypothalamic neuropeptide with a known primary structure (pGlu-His-Pro-NH(2)).
  • TRH is synthesized from a precursor protein containing repeated TRH progenitor sequences (Gln-His-Pro-Gly).
  • TRH neurons project to the median eminence in tetrapods and directly to the pituitary in teleosts, with additional innervation in the neurointermediate lobe of amphibians and teleosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse, species-dependent hypophysiotropic activities of TRH.
  • To investigate the role of TRH in regulating hormone release across different vertebrate classes.
  • To examine the potential hypophysiotropic functions of skin-derived TRH in amphibians.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of TRH's effects on pituitary hormone release (TSH, GH, PRL, alpha-MSH) in various vertebrate species (fish, amphibians, birds, mammals).
  • Examination of TRH neuronal projections and termination sites within the pituitary gland.
  • Investigation of TRH localization in amphibian skin and plasma.

Main Results:

  • TRH stimulates TSH, GH, and PRL release in mammals; GH and PRL in fish; TSH and GH in birds; and GH and PRL in amphibians.
  • TRH does not affect TSH secretion in fish but is a marginal stimulator in adult frogs.
  • TRH potently stimulates alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone release in fish and amphibians, and amphibian skin and plasma show high TRH concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • TRH's hypophysiotropic activities are highly species-specific, reflecting diverse evolutionary adaptations.
  • The amphibian intermediate pituitary offers a valuable model for studying TRH's cellular and molecular mechanisms.
  • Skin-derived TRH in amphibians may play a significant role in hypophysiotropic functions.