Secretes FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, PRL, GH, and β-endorphin. - Melanotropin (MSH) secreted from intermediate lobe of pituitary. - Basophils: FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH- Acidophils: GH, PRL

- Derived from oral ectoderm (Rathke pouch).

α subunit: hormone subunit common to TSH, LH, FSH, and hCGβ subunit: determines hormone specificity

ACTH, MSH, and β-endorphin are derivatives of proopiomelanocortin (POMC).