The pituitary gland secretes several important hormones from its two main parts, the anterior and posterior pituitary:

Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary:

• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Control reproductive functions, stimulate ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, and testes to produce testosterone and sperm.
• Prolactin (PRL): Stimulates breast milk production.
• Growth hormone (GH): Stimulates growth and repair of body tissues.
• Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH): Role in humans is less clear, involved in melanin formation.

Hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary:

• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin: Regulates water retention by the kidneys and helps control blood fluid balance.
• Oxytocin: Controls uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.

The posterior pituitary stores and releases hormones made in the hypothalamus (ADH and oxytocin), while the anterior pituitary produces and secretes its own hormones. These hormones collectively regulate various important bodily functions, including stress response, metabolism, growth, reproductive processes, water balance, and lactation.