Paraventricular Nucleus

<p>contains&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" title="Neuroendocrine" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroendocrine">neuroendocrine</a> neurons that synthesize and secrete&nbsp;<a title="Vasopressin" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasopressin">vasopressin</a> and&nbsp;<a title="Corticotropin-releasing hormone" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticotropin-releasing_hormone">corticotropin-releasing hormone</a> (CRH). These two&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" title="Peptides" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptides">peptides</a> regulate:</p>

<ul>

<li>The anterior lobe of the&nbsp;<a title="Pituitary gland" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_gland">pituitary gland</a>. In particular, CRH and vasopressin stimulate the secretion of&nbsp;<a title="Adrenocorticotropic hormone" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenocorticotropic_hormone">adrenocorticotropic hormone</a> (ACTH), once known as&nbsp;<strong>corticotropin.</strong> ACTH in turn acts on:</li>

<li>the&nbsp;<a title="Adrenal cortex" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenal_cortex">adrenal cortex</a>, which produces&nbsp;<a title="Glucocorticoid" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucocorticoid">glucocorticoid</a> hormones (mainly&nbsp;<a title="Cortisol" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol">cortisol</a> in humans) in response to stimulation by ACTH. Glucocorticoids in turn act back on the hypothalamus and pituitary (to suppress CRH and ACTH production) in a&nbsp;<a title="Negative feedback" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_feedback">negative feedback</a> cycle.</li>

</ul>