Tropic hormones are hormones produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary which target endocrine glands.^[1] Tropic hormones include:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) – stimulates the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormone.^[2]
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) – stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids.^[3]
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) – stimulates the release of steroid hormones in gonads—the ovary and testes.^[4]
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – stimulates the maturation of eggs and production of sperm.^[5]

The hypothalamus controls the release of tropic hormones by secreting a class of hypothalamic neurohormones called releasing and release-inhibiting hormones—which are released to the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system and act on the anterior pituitary.^[6]

[edit] See also

• Endocrine system
• Non-tropic hormone

[edit] References