Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hypothalamus-pituitary system

  • Chapter
Clinical Endocrinology of Dogs and Cats

Abstract

The hypothalamus and pituitary form a complex functional unit that transcends the traditional boundary between neurology and endocrinology. Many key elements of this system are neither purely endocrine nor purely neural. It consists of three major systems:

  1. 1.

    A neuroendocrine system connected to an endocrine system by a portal circulation. The neuroendocrine system consists of clusters of peptide- and monoamine-secreting cells in the anterior and middle portions of the ventral hypothalamus. Their products are transported along nerve fibers to terminals in the outer layer of the median eminence (Fig. 2–1). Here they are released into the capillaries of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system and transported to regulate the secretion of the hormones of the anterior lobe (AL) of the pituitary (Fig. 2–2; Table 2–1).

  2. 2.

    A neurosecretory pathway that starts in the anterior hypothalamus, traverses the ventral hypothalamus, and terminates in the neurohypophysis or posterior lobe (PL) on fenestrated blood vessels (Fig. 2–2).

  3. 3.

    A pars intermedia (PI) directly innervated by predominantly aminergic nerve fibers from the hypothalamus. This direct neural control is largely a tonic inhibitory influence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Mol JA, Rijnberk A. Pituitary function. In: Kaneko JJ ed., Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, Fourth Edition. San Diego: Academic Press, 1989: 576–609.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ben-Jonathan N, Laudon M, Garris PA. Novel aspects of posterior pituitary function: Regulation of Prolactin secretion. Front Neuroendocrinol 1991; 12: 231–77.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ascacio-Martinez, JA, Barrera-Saldana. A dog growth hormone cDNA codes for a mature protein identical to pig growth hormone. Gene 1994; 277–80.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Mol JA, van Garderen E, Selman PJ, Wolfswinkel J, Rijnberk A, Rutteman GR. Growth hormone mRNA in mammary gland tumors of dogs and cats. J. Clin Invest 1955; 95: 2028–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Eigenmann JE. Insulin-like growth factor I in the dog. Front Horm Res 1987; 161–172.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Nap RC. Nutritional Influences on Growth and Skeletal Development in the Dog. Thesis, Utrecht University, 1993, pp 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Andresen E, Willeberg P. Pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd doge: Additional evidence of simple autosomal recessive inheritance. Nord Vet Med 1976; 28: 481–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Müller-Peddinghaus R. El Etreby MF, Siefert J, Ranke M. Hypophysärer Zwergwuchs beim Deutschen Schäferhund. Vet Path 1980; 17: 406–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rijnberk A, Van Herpen H, Mol JA, Rutteman GR. Disturbed release of growth hormone in mature dogs: a comparison with congenital growth hormone deficiency. Vet Rec 1993; 133: 542–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Van Herpen H, Rijnberk A, Mol JA. Production of antibodies to biosynthetic human growth hormone in the dog. Vet Rec 1994; 134: 171.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Lothrop CD. Pathophysiology of canine growth hormone-responsive alopecia. Comp Contin Educ Pract Vet 1988; 10: 1346–9.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Schmeitzel LP, Lothrop CD. Hormonal abnormalities in Pomeranians with normal coat and in Pomeranians with growth hormone-responsive dermatosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990; 197: 1333–41.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Peterson ME, Altszuler N. Suppression of growth hormone secretion in spontaneous canine hyperadrenocorticism and its reversal after treatment. Am J Vet Res 1981; 42: 1881–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Eigenmann JE, Eigenmann RY, Rijnberk A, Van der Gaag I, Zapf J, Froesch ER. Progesterone-controlled growth hormone overproduction and naturally occurring canine diabetes and acromegaly. Acta Endocrinol 1983; 104: 167–76.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Selman PJ, Mol JA, Rutteman GR, Van Garderen E, Rijnberk A. Progestin-induced growth hormone excess in the dog originates in the mammary gland. Endocrinology 1994; 134: 287–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Peterson ME, Randolph JF. Endocrine diseases. In: Sherding RG, ed. The Cat: Diseases and Clinical Management. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1989: 1095–161.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Peterson ME. Effects of megestrol acetate on glucose tolerance and growth hormone secretion in the cat. Res Vet Sci 1987; 42: 354–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Selman PJ, Mol JA, Rutteman GR, Rijnberk A. Progestin treatment in the dog. II. Effects on the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenocortical axis. Eur J Endocrinol 1994; 131: 422–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Watson ADJ, Rutteman GR, Rijnberk A, Mol JA. Effect of Somatostatin Analogue SMS 201–995 and Antiprogestin Agent RU 486 in canine acromegaly. Front Horm Res 1987; 17: 193–8.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nelson RW, Ihle SL, Feldman EC. Pituitary macroadenomas and macroadenocarcinomas in dogs treated with mitotane for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 13 cases (1981–1986). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989; 194: 1612–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sarfaty D, Carillo JM, Peterson ME. Neurologic, endocrinologic, and pathologic findings associated with large pituitary tumors in dogs: Eight cases (1976–1984). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988; 193: 854–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Dow SW, LeCouteur RA. Radiation therapy for canine ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors. In: Kirk RW, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy X. Philadephia: WB Saunders Co, 1989: 1031–4.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Biewenga WJ, Rijnberk A, Mol JA. Osmoregulation of systemic vasopressin release during long-term glucocorticoid excess: A study in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. Acta Endocrinol 1991; 124: 583–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Papanek PE, Raff H. Physiological increases in cortisol inhibit basal vasopressin release in conscious dogs. Am J Physiol 1994; 266: R1744–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Biewenga WJ, Rijnberk A, Mol JA. Persistent polyuria in two dogs following adrenocorticolysis for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Vet Ouart 1989; 11: 193–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Perrin IV, Bestetti GE, Zanesco SA, Sterchi HP. Diabetes insipidus centralis durch Larva migrans visceralis in der Neuro-Hypophyse beim Hund. Schwei: Arch Tierheilk 1986; 128: 483–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Post K, McNeill JRJ, Clark EG, Digneau MA, Olynyk GP. Congenital central diabetes insipidus in two sibling Afghan Hound pups. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989; 194: 1086–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. DiBartola SP, Johnson SE, Johnson GC, Robertson GL. Hypodipsic hypernatremia in a dog with defective osmoregulation of antidiuretic hormone. J Am Vet Med Ass 1994; 204: 922–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Luzius H, Jans DA, Grünbaum E-G, Moritz A, Rascher W, Fahrenholz F. A low affinity vasopressin V7-receptor in inherited nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. J Receptor Res 1992; 12: 351–68.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zerbe RL, Robertson GL. A comparison of plasma vasopressin measurments with a standard indirect test in the differential diagnosis of polyuria. New Engl J Med 1981; 305: 1639–46.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Moses AM, Clayton B. Impairment of osmotically stimulated AVP release in patients with primary polydipsia. Am J Physiol 1993; 265: R1247–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Rijnberk A, Biewenga WJ, Mol JA. Inappropriate vasopressin secretion in two dogs. Acta Endocrinol 1988; 117: 59–64.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Houston DM, Allen DG, Kruth SA, Pook H, Spinato MT, Keough L. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in a dog. Can Vet J 1989; 30: 423–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Van Oosterhout ICAM, Rijnberk A, Mol JA. Effect of the aquaretic vasopressin antagonists d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(ET)2Va14]AVP and d(CH2)5[D-Phe2-Phe4]AVP on urine production in healthy dogs. Horm Metab Res 1992; 24: 244–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Stolp R, Steinbusch HWM, Rijnberk A, Croughs RJM. Organization of ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor immunoreactive neurons in the canine hypothalamopituitary system. Neurosci Lett 1987; 74: 337–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Miller MA, Dunstan RW. Seasonal flank alopecia in Boxers and Airdale Terriers: 24 cases (1985–1992). J Am Vet Med Ass 1993; 203: 1567–72.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hullinger RL. The Endocrine System. In: Evans HE, Christensen GC, eds. Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1979: 602–31.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Mol JA, Van Wolferen M, Kwant M, Meloen R. Predicted primary and antigenic structure of canine corticotropin releasing hormone. Neuropeptides 1994; 27: 7–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Prof. Dr. A. Rijnberk

Authors
  1. Prof. Dr. A. Rijnberk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. Rijnberk

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rijnberk, A. (1996). Hypothalamus-pituitary system. In: Rijnberk, A. (eds) Clinical Endocrinology of Dogs and Cats. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0105-6_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0105-6_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-3416-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0105-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation