Pulsatile secretion
Pulsatile secretion refers to the pattern of hormone release in the body, which is not constant but occurs in pulses. This pattern is observed in many hormones, including growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and cortisol. The frequency and amplitude of these pulses can vary depending on various factors such as age, sex, and physiological state.
Mechanism of Pulsatile Secretion[edit | edit source]
The pulsatile secretion of hormones is controlled by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates many bodily functions. The hypothalamus releases releasing hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete hormones. These releasing hormones are released in a pulsatile manner, which in turn leads to the pulsatile secretion of pituitary hormones.
The pulsatile nature of hormone secretion is important for maintaining the sensitivity of target tissues to these hormones. Continuous exposure to a hormone can lead to desensitization, a reduced response to the hormone. By releasing hormones in pulses, the body can prevent desensitization and maintain the effectiveness of hormonal signaling.
Factors Influencing Pulsatile Secretion[edit | edit source]
Various factors can influence the frequency and amplitude of hormone pulses. These include:
- Age: The frequency and amplitude of hormone pulses can change with age. For example, the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone decreases with age.
- Sex: Sex can also influence the pulsatile secretion of hormones. For example, the frequency of luteinizing hormone pulses is higher in women than in men.
- Physiological state: The physiological state of the body can also affect the pulsatile secretion of hormones. For example, stress can increase the frequency of cortisol pulses.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The pulsatile secretion of hormones has important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of various endocrine disorders. For example, in acromegaly, a condition characterized by excessive growth hormone secretion, the pulsatile pattern of growth hormone secretion is often disrupted. By measuring the frequency and amplitude of growth hormone pulses, doctors can diagnose acromegaly and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Similarly, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by hormonal imbalance in women, the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone is often increased. By measuring the frequency and amplitude of luteinizing hormone pulses, doctors can diagnose PCOS and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Pulsatile secretion Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
