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Pituitary Adaptation

Meaning

Pituitary Adaptation refers to the physiological changes in the anterior pituitary gland’s function and structure in response to chronic, sustained changes in the body’s hormonal environment or external stimuli. This adaptive process allows the pituitary to recalibrate its hormone secretion rates, particularly Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Growth Hormone (GH), to maintain systemic homeostasis. Examples include the down-regulation of GnRH receptors following prolonged agonist exposure or the structural changes in somatotrophs in response to chronic growth hormone secretagogue use. This adaptation reflects the plasticity of the endocrine control center.