The pea-sized pituitary gland, found at the base of the brain, is regarded as the master endocrine gland because it controls so many of the body’s processes.

The pituitary gland synthesises and releases many hormones in the body, including the following:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland as already described
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), sometimes referred to as corticotropin, stimulates the release of hormones from the adrenal glands. Like TSH, ACTH is prompted by the action of the hypothalamus, this time the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which increases at times of stress
• Growth hormone promotes growth of the bones, muscles, connective tissues and organs
• Luteinising hormone (LH) is often regarded as a female hormone, because of its role in the menstrual cycle. However, men produce it too, and it stimulates the production of testosterone from the testes
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) works alongside LH. Because they stimulate the gonads – the ovaries in woman, the testes in men – they are known collectively as gonadotrophins, and their release is triggered by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH, gonadorelin), which is made by the hypothalamus. All of the hormones listed above stem from the anterior pituitary and are known as “tropic” hormones because they cause other endocrine hormones to release their own hormones, rather than affecting other body tissues.
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin) has a role in the regulation of blood pressure because it influences the amount of urine produced. It does this because it is released in response to increased sodium and water reabsorption by the kidneys, for example, when someone is dehydrated, which decreases the amount of urine produced and means blood pressure rises. If ADH is not secreted, the opposite happens, meaning more urine is produced and excreted and blood pressure goes down
• Oxytocin is not just involved in childbirth, as previously detailed, it has a role in breastfeeding as well. It is sometimes known as the love hormone because it is released during social pleasurable bonding such as snuggling on the sofa or playing with a pet dog – in men as well as women.