A medical student is studying hypothalamic releasing hormones. Which hormone, when released from the hypothalamus, is capable of stimulating BOTH TSH and prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary?

• A CRH
• B GHRH
• C GnRH
• D TRH ✓

Explanation

TRH acts on both thyrotrophs and lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary, stimulating TSH and prolactin release respectively. This is why primary hypothyroidism, with elevated TRH, can cause hyperprolactinemia. CRH stimulates ACTH, GHRH stimulates GH, and GnRH stimulates LH and FSH.

Reference: Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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