Biology 3601A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Anterior Pituitary, Endocrinology, Cortisol

• School: Western University
• Department: Biology
• Course: Biology 3601A/B
• Professor: Brent Sinclair

Document Summary

Hpa and hpg axis: hpa: hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis. The hypothalamus controls/release hormones act on the anterior pituitary in the brain, that releases the adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth), that controls the adrenal glands that releases. There"s 2 things going on with the stress hormones: acute and chronic stress that sends animals signals to modify to respond to the new stress: hpg: hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis. Gluttonizing hormones/stimulating hormones that acts on the ovaries/testes. We get testosterone or progesterone/estradiol these hormones that are circulating regulates reproductive biology. We have lots of hormones we can measure at the end: testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol (stress hormone) There is also an intermediate level as well, so you can tell the ratio by looking at intermediate products. Sampling for steroids & steroid metabolites: these hormones get metabolized, drawing as though the end-product is testosterone, but a lot of the activity is hydroxytestosterone so it is often the thing that is relevant.