Which among the following hormone is secreted by Pituitary gland?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone secreted by lactotroph cells located in the anterior pituitary gland.
The primary function of prolactin is to initiate and maintain lactation (milk production) in mammals after childbirth.
Unlike most other pituitary hormones that are primarily stimulated by the hypothalamus, prolactin is under tonic inhibitory control by dopamine from the hypothalamus.

Option A: Calcitonin is not secreted by the pituitary gland. It is produced by the parafollicular cells (C-cells) of the thyroid gland.
Option B: Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, specifically the zona fasciculata, not the pituitary gland.
Option C: Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hormones of the Pituitary Gland as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the origin of hormones is fundamental for diagnosing endocrine disorders. For instance, hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels) can indicate a pituitary adenoma (tumor), which may require medical or surgical intervention.
Nurses monitor for signs of hormonal imbalances. A patient with a pituitary tumor might present with lactation (galactorrhea), menstrual irregularities, or visual disturbances due to the tumor pressing on the optic chiasm.
What if? If the question asked for a hormone stored in the pituitary but produced elsewhere, the answer would be Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) or Oxytocin, as both are synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pituitary gland'. The question asks to identify which of the listed hormones is secreted by this specific gland.
Review each option and recall its gland of origin.
Option A, Calcitonin, is from the thyroid gland.
Option B, Glucocorticoids, are from the adrenal gland.
Option C, Glucagon, is from the pancreas.
Option D, Prolactin, is from the anterior pituitary gland.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 2 (pp 421-820 of 840) p. 56-58

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 1 Part 2 p. 115-117

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 891-893

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.