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Related Concept Videos

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Functions of Thyroid Hormones

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development
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An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development

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Thyroid hormone and the developing hypothalamus.

Anneke Alkemade1

  • 1Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
|March 10, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Thyroid hormone (TH) is crucial for brain development. The fetal hypothalamus actively regulates TH levels, ensuring proper brain maturation and anticipating the postnatal thyrotropin surge.

Keywords:
brain developmentdeiodinasehypothalamusparaventricular nucleusthyroid hormone

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Molecular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Thyroid hormone (TH) is vital for normal brain development and function.
  • TH signaling relies on the transport and local conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) within the brain.
  • Nuclear TH receptors (TRs) are expressed early in development, even before the fetal thyroid is functional.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TH signaling in human hypothalamic development.
  • To understand the regulation of TH concentrations in the fetal brain.
  • To explore the fetal hypothalamus's contribution to TH homeostasis during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene and protein expression of TH transporters, deiodinases, and receptors in the human hypothalamus during development.
  • Correlation of TH signaling component expression with developmental timing.
  • Examination of evidence for fetal hypothalamic involvement in TH regulation.

Main Results:

  • TH signaling components show specific developmental timing in the human hypothalamus.
  • Coordinated expression of deiodinases and TH transporters suggests regulation to prevent premature brain cell maturation.
  • Evidence suggests the fetal hypothalamus plays a role in regulating maternal TH supply and anticipates postnatal TSH surges.

Conclusions:

  • Intact TH signaling is essential for normal hypothalamic development.
  • The fetal hypothalamus actively participates in regulating TH concentrations during development.
  • Changes in TH signaling components towards term indicate a potential decrease in fetal TH demand, preparing for the postnatal period.