Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?

• A. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• B. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
• C. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• D. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the hypothalamus in regulating the endocrine system. The hypothalamus releases specific hormones that act on the anterior pituitary to stimulate the release of other hormones.
2. Identify the function of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development.
3. Recognize that the hypothalamic hormone responsible for stimulating the release of TSH is thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH is secreted by the hypothalamus and targets the anterior pituitary.
4. Differentiate TRH from other hypothalamic hormones listed in the problem. For example, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), while Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH).
5. Conclude that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is the correct hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).