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SECRETION OF ALPHA AND BETA SUBUNITS OF TSH BY THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY
Author(s) -
EDMONDS M.,
MOLITCH M.,
PIERCE J.,
ODELL W. D.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1975.tb01564.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , beta (programming language) , alpha (finance) , anterior pituitary , secretion , pituitary gland , chemistry , hormone , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction , computer science , programming language
SUMMARY We have attempted to determine whether blood concentrations of the α chains of TSH arise by direct pituitary secretion of α chain or by degratation of the intact hormone after secretion. Highly purified human TSH was administered by infusion to euthyroid volunteers; blood TSH concentrations were raised to 36 μu/ml. After TSH infusion, circulating blood α chain concentrations did not change. The same volunteers received an infusion of TRH which stimulated pituitary secretion of TSH, raising blood concentrations to 15 μ/ml in one series of subjects and to 23 μu/ml in a second series. After TRH, blood concentrations of α chain increased from undetectable to over 400 pg/ml. We conclude that α subunits of TSH are directly secreted by the pituitary gland and are not formed by degradation of intact TSH in the peripheral circulation.