Question
What hormones are secreted by the posterior pituitary gland ? What function does each serve ? Where are these hormones actually produced ?
Solution
The posterior pituitary gland or neurohypophysis or pars nervosa stores and release two hormones :
1. Vasopressin (ADH or Antidiuretic Hormone)
2. Oxytocin
1. Function of Vasopressin hormone. Vasopressin hormone controls urine output. When there is more water in the body then this hormone is secreted in less amount. When amount of water is less inside the body then it is secreted in more amount so the urine output is less. The ADH hormone reduces water loss.
2. Function of Oxytocin :
(i) It acts on smooth muscles and results in their contraction .
(ii) It stimulates rigorous contraction in the uterine walls during the child birth.
(iii) It stimules ejection of milk from the mammary glands.
