Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a hypothalamic peptide that stimulates pituitary release of thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin. It also acts as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

Hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis: The hormone-regulation system connecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland. TRH initiates the hypothalamic signal that drives this endocrine feedback system.
Hypothalamus: A brain region that coordinates endocrine, autonomic, and homeostatic functions. Hypothalamic neurons synthesize TRH and regulate its release into portal blood.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test: A dynamic endocrine test that measures pituitary responses after administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. The test probes pituitary thyrotropin and prolactin responses to TRH.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone: A hypothalamic peptide hormone that stimulates pituitary release of adrenocorticotropic hormone. It regulates a different pituitary hormone pathway than TRH.
Thyrotropin: A pituitary glycoprotein hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. TRH prompts pituitary thyrotropes to release this hormone.
Paraventricular nucleus: A hypothalamic nucleus containing neurons that regulate endocrine and autonomic functions. Its TRH-producing neurons provide a major source of hypophysiotropic TRH.
Central hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormone deficiency caused by inadequate pituitary or hypothalamic stimulation of the thyroid. Impaired hypothalamic TRH signaling can contribute to deficient thyrotropin drive.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: A hypothalamic peptide that stimulates pituitary secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. It is another hypothalamic releasing hormone, but targets reproductive rather than thyroid signaling.
Thyrotroph: An anterior pituitary cell that produces and releases thyroid-stimulating hormone. TRH binds receptors on these cells to stimulate thyrotropin secretion.
Preprothyroliberin: The precursor protein from which thyrotropin-releasing hormone is processed. Enzymatic cleavage of this precursor generates mature TRH and related peptides.

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