At the mercy of neurohormones

Now let’s look at the other part of the term, “hormone”. Hormones are chemical substances produced by certain parts of the body (endocrine glands), which after synthesis move to another part of the body (target organ).

It turns out that a neurohormone is a hormone that is produced by a neuron in the nervous system, but travels in the bloodstream and acts on certain cells and tissues.

Hypothalamic neurohormones are biologically active substances produced by the cells of the hypothalamus that enter the pituitary gland and regulate its functioning.

Neurohormones play an important role in regulating the synthesis and release of other hormones. These hormones include progestin (involved in reproduction), cortisol (involved in the development of stress reactions), and many others associated with the normal functioning of most body organs.

There are two groups of these hormones: liberins, which have a stimulating effect on the secretion of pituitary hormones, and statins, which inhibit their production.

Two well-known examples of hypothalamic neurohormones are oxytocin, which regulates the birth process, and antidiuretic hormone, which supports the body’s water-salt balance. Both of these substances do not affect the synthesis of hormones by the pituitary gland, but they are able to accumulate in it “until better times” and be secreted at the right moment.

Thus, neurohormones share characteristics with both neurotransmitters and hormones. Like neurotransmitters, neurohormones are released by neurons. Like hormones, neurohormones are able to move in the bloodstream and act on distant organs and tissues.

Photo: hr-portal.ru