Central Control of Endocrine Func<on
Many peripheral hormone systems are controlled by hypothalamus an
base of brain around 3rd ventricle and above pituitary stalk which carr
supply. Contains many vital centres for func@ons, e.g. appe@te and thir
walking. Acts as an integrator of many neural and endocrine inputs to
releasing factors.
Role in circadian rhythm, menstrual cyclicty, responses to stress, exerc
Op<c chiasm: lies just above pituitary fossa - any lesions expanding fro
compress chiasm and cause visual defects.
Suprasellar expansion: upwards expansion of pituitary gland through t
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis Hypothalamic Physiology: Hypothalamic neurones secrete pituitary-re
HPT axis required for hormone system control. hormones into portal system, which descends down pituitary stalk to p
TRH: thyrotrophin-releasing hormone; secreted in hypothalamus; travels via portal system to large amounts of other neuropep@des and transmiOers, e.g. Neuropep
pituitary where it s@mulates TSH produc@on by thyrotrophs pituitary func@on.
TSH: thyroid-s@mula@ng hormone; secreted into circula@on; s@mulates increased thyroidal Anterior Pituitary. Hormone secre@on: controlled by hypothalamic rel
iodine uptake and synthesis and release of T3 and T4. TSH also s@mulates peripheral Growth hormone release: s@mulated by GRHR; inhibited by somatosta
conversion of T4 to T3 Release Inhibitory Hormone)
T3 and T4 enter cells, bind to nuclear Rs and promote inc metabolic and cellular ac@vity. T3 TSH: release s@mulated by TRH; par@ally inhibited by somatosta@n
levels sensed by pituitary and hypothalamic Rs. If T3 too high, TRH and TSH synthesis Cor@cotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin: endogenous
suppressed and T4 and T3 secre@on is reduced. Peripheral T3/T4 levels drop to normal. If T3 Posterior Pituitary: Acts merely as a storage hormone.
and T4 levels too low, increased produc@on and secre@on of TRH and TSH results in thyroid ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin are synthesised in supra-op@c (SON) a
increasing its produc@on of T3 and T4: restores plasma levels of T3 and T4, however may anterior hypothalamus. They are transported to posterior pituitary (th
occur at expense of TSH (thus get high TSH levels; compensated euthyroidism). alone does not affect produc@on/release of ADH or oxytocin).
Posterior Pituitary Physiology Cranial Diabetes Insipidus:
Water Homeostasis: 400-500mL/day water needed to excrete solute load in maximally Complete/ par@al; Permanent/ temporary
concentrated urine. Intake of 700-800mL/d is needed to match total water losses and remain in All of the pathogenic lesions involve: Supraop@c and paraventricu
water balance. Chronically, inges@ng <700 to 800mL/day à increased osmolality and s@mula@on of Major por@on of the pituitary stalk
thirst. The solute load when excreted in maximally diluted urine approaches 25L Simple destruc@on of posterior pituitary lobe à temporary, unsus
Chronically, inges@ng >25L of water a day à loss of body fluid homeostasis and a lowering of reduced renal concentra@ng capacity
plasma osmolality Primary Cranial DI
Hormones: oxytocin, vasopressin, neurophysin Marked decrease (>90%) in the hypothalamic nuclei of the neuro-
- Oxytocin: No known role in men; may aid contrac@on of seminal vesicles. In women, contracts Gene@c abnormali@es of the AQP-2 gene (AD) on chromosome 20
pregnant uterus and causes breast duct smooth muscle contrac@on, allowing milk ejec@on. No Idiopathic
known adverse effects from deficiency. Associated with DM, op@c atrophy and deafness, atonia of bladde
- Neurophysin: Released with vasopressin. Acts as a carrier protein in neurons to transport Secondary (Acquired) cranial DI
vasopressin to the post-pituitary. Hypophysectomy. Cranial injuries, basal skull fractures. Supra- and
- AVP (arginine vasopressin) [ADH – an@diure@c hormone]: posterior lobe = major site of AVP secondary). Langerhans’ cell-type his@ocytosis (Hand-Schuller-Chr
storage and release, but AVP is synthesized within hypothalamus; Leads to inser@on of water (sarcoidosis or TB). Vascular (aneurysms and thrombosis). Infec@o
channels into the luminal membrane. Allows passive solute-free water reabsorp@on along an
osmo@c gradient from lumen of collec@ng duct to the hypertonic medullary inters@@um. Has a
pressor effect in high concentra@on. Acts synergis@cally with CRH as an ACTH secretagogue. Dipsogenic DI
Cor@sol deficiency results in failure to excrete a water load; can mask cranial DI Compulsive water drinking; associated with affec@ve disorders. Dr
- Placenta contains vasopressinase (pregnancy can worsen syndrome of CDI= cranial DI) hypothalamic disease: sarcoid, tumours involving h ypothalamus;
S<mulants of AVP secre<on: increased osmo@c pressre of body water; volume deple@on; pain, Diagnosis of DI: Suspect if large volumes (3-30L/day) of very dilute
stress, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, emesis, exercise, pregnancy, cholinergic agonists (beta-blockers, osmolality <200mOsm/L) are excreted. All tests for DI are based o
angiotensin and prostaglandins) osmolality in normal person will lead to decreased excre@on of ur
Inhibitors of AVP secre<on: alcohol, alpha-blockers, glucocor@coids Water depriva@on test. Hypertonic saline infusion- AVP measurem
Breakdown of the plasma-osmolality-VP rela<onship: Rapid changes of plasma osmolality: rapid Inves<ga<on: Exclude DM, renal disease, hypercalcaemia, hypoka
increases in plasma osmolality result in exaggerated VP release. During the act of drinking: drinking tumours: hypothalamic, pineal, infiltra@ve; Loss of bright spot of p
rapidly suppresses VP release, through afferent pathways origina@ng in the oropharynx. Pregnancy: (sarcoidosis)
the osmo@c threshold for VP release is lowered in pregnancy. Aging: Plasma VP concentra@ons Tumour markers e.g. beta-HCG (pineal germinoma)
increase with age, together with enhanced VP responses to osmo@c s@mula@on. Age-related Tests for DI: Water depriva@on test – Simplest and most reliable m
changes also include: blun@ng of thirst apprecia@on, reduced Eluid intake, decreased ability to whilst the pa@ent is under constant supervision: in DI, this test ma
excrete a free water load, reduced renal concentra@ng capacity drinkers may be unable to avoid drinking unless prevented from d
• Normal response: Max urinary osmolality aqer dehydra@on (o
Maximum urine osm > plasma osm; Does not increase more a
Syndrome of Inappropriate AVP secre<on (SIAVP) • Pa@ents with DI: Urine does not concentrate > plasma osmola
Less than maximally dilute urine with pI hypo-osmolality and hypo-natraemia by >50% aqer vasopressin.
Relies on the absence of: Volume deple@on/overload; Emo@onal stress or pain; Diure@cs/other • Pa@ents with par@al DI: Concentra@on urine > plasma osmola
drugs s@mula@ng AVP secre@on; Abnormal cardiac, hepa@c, renal, adrenal, thyroid func@on aqer AVP
Causes of SIAVP • Pa@ents with NDI: Do not concentrate urine > plasma osmola
Malignancy: Pulmonary, duodenum, pancreas, lymphoma, CNS to AVP
Pulmonary disorders: Pneumonia, lung abscess, tuberculosis, aspergillosis, posi@ve pressure • Pa@ents with compulsive polydipsia: May have normal respon
breathing show responses similar to that of pa@ents with par@al DI; Sho
CNS disorders: Encephali@s, meningi@s, brain abscess, Guillain-Barre syndrome, subdural or Hypertonic saline infusion AVP measurement
subarachnoid haemorrhage, Acute psychosis, stroke, acute intermiOent porphyria Treatment of DI:
Hypo-osmolal Hyponatramia: • Mild CDI: may not require treatment
Primary sodium loss: secondary water gain; Integumentary loss; GI loss; Renal loss: diure@cs, • Treatment of CDI: desmopressin (Vasopressin anologue ac@n
osmo@c diuresis, hypoaldosteronism, salt-was@ng nephropathy, post-obstruc@ve diuresis; non- intranasally/ perenterally [sc/im/iv])
oliguric acute tubular necrosis • Treatment of NDI: high doses of vasopressin; thiazide diure@c
Primary water gain: secondary Na loss; Primary polydipsia: reduced solute intake (e.g. beer indomethacin; adequate Eluid intake
potomania); AVP release due to pain, nausea, drugs; SIAVP; Glucocor@coid
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller siobhan01. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.89. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.