A Primer on Pituitary Injury for the Reproductive Endocrinologist: Simmonds disease, Sheehan’s syndrome, Traumatic injury, Dahan’ s syndrome, Pituitary Apo

Michael H Dahan, SeangLin Tan

Abstract

The pituitary gland plays a critical role in reproduction. In response to the hypothalamus the anterior pituitary secretes prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Adreno corticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone. Dysregulation in these hormones often lead to reproductive failure. Therefore, understanding of the mechanisms of pituitary injury is critical for the reproductive endocrinologist. Several modes of pituitary injury have been noted. Their pathophysiology will be discussed so that a proper differential diagnosis can be developed and the resultant mechanism diagnosed.