Name any four hormones secreted by adenohypophysis and give their significance.

Answer: The adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) secretes:

1. Growth hormone (GH / somatotropin): stimulates growth of the body, especially of bones and muscles, and protein synthesis. Hyposecretion in childhood causes dwarfism and hypersecretion causes gigantism (acromegaly in adults).
2. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH / thyrotropin): stimulates the thyroid gland to grow and secrete thyroxine.
3. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids (cortisol).
4. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): in females stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles and secretion of oestrogen; in males stimulates spermatogenesis.
5. Luteinising hormone (LH / ICSH in males): in females induces ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum (progesterone secretion); in males stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone.
6. Prolactin (PRL / lactogenic hormone): stimulates growth of mammary glands during pregnancy and milk production after childbirth.