[Current knowledge on the biochemistry and function of hypothalamic hormones].

By specialized cell types of the hypothalamus 6 peptides (liberins) acting stimulating on the synthesis and secretion of hormones of the pituitary gland and 3 peptides acting inhibiting (statins) were formed. The synthesis of the hypothalamus hormones apparently takes place from larger precursor molecules. Under influence of corticoliberin the pro-opiomelanocortin is formed in the pituitary gland, the breaking up of which produces in the anterior pituitary lobe the ACTH, the beta-lipotropin and the beta-endorphin as well as in the middle lobe above all melanotropins. The secretion of the growth hormone is furthered above all by the somatoliberin and inhibited by the somatostatin. The luliberin stimulates the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinising hormone (LH). In increased secretion of prolactin the supply of the FSH- and LH-synthetizing cells with receptors for the luliberin is decreased. The secretion of the prolactin is furthered by the prolactoliberin and inhibited by the prolactostatin. In the regulation of the release of the melanotropins also participate 2 peptides. In the adrenal cortex the melanotropins further the synthesis of glucocorticosteroids stimulated by ACTH.