title: A journey through the pituitary gland: Development, structure and function, with emphasis on embryo-foetal and later development.
abstract: The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are morphologically and functionally associated in the endocrine and neuroendocrine control of other endocrine glands. They therefore play a key role in a number of regulatory feedback processes that co-ordinate the whole endocrine system. Here we review the neuroendocrine system, from the discoveries that led to its identification to some recently clarified embryological, functional, and morphological aspects. In particular we review the pituitary gland and the main notions related to its development, organization, cell differentiation, and vascularization. Given the crucial importance of the factors controlling neuroendocrine system development to understand parvocellular neuron function and the aetiology of the congenital disorders related to hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction, we also provide an overview of the molecular and genetic studies that have advanced our knowledge in the field. Through the action of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland is involved in the control of a broad range of key aspects of our lives: the review focuses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, particularly GnRH, whose abnormal secretion is associated with clinical conditions involving delayed or absent puberty and reproductive dysfunction.
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Musumeci
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Castorina
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Electronic address: pacastro@unict.it.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Castrogiovanni
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Loreto
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Orofacial Pain, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Rosi
authors: R
authors: Leonardi
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Flavia Concetta
authors: FC
authors: Aiello
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Anatomic Pathology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Magro
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Imbesi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*
keywords: Hypothalamic–pituitary axis dysfunction; Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis; Hypothalamus; Neuroendocrine system; Pituitary gland