ABSTRACT
The pituitary gland, the hypophysis, is a small structure at the base of the brain composed of two glands-the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis-that control homeostasis, growth, and reproduction. Hormones of the neurohypophysis, or posterior pituitary gland, vasopressin, vasotocin and oxytocin, are produced as prohormones in the hypothalamus and are transported via neural axons to the neurohypophysis. There they are stored, processed, and released into the circulation. Vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulates blood vessel constriction and water resorption by kidneys and enhances corticotropin (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary. Vasotocin and vasopressin are structurally and functionally similar. Oxytocin acts on the uterus to stimulate contractions and mammary glands to induce milk ejection.
