A protein-like molecule or neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus consisting of a chain of amino acids that functions like a hormone to stimulate the release of corticotrophin by the anterior pituitary gland. From the pituitary gland, it travels to the outer part of the adrenal cortex that secretes cortiocosteroids (mainly glucocorticoids), which are cortisone-like hormones. CRH, which plays a major role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is released by the mother shortly after the embryo implants in the uterus, and it appears to protect the embryo from immunological rejection by the mother that can result in a spontaneous abortion. Elevated CRH is associated with anxiety and chronic stress responses, as well as with pre-eclampsia and spontaneous preterm birth at less than 35 weeks pregnancy duration. Corticotrophin, also known as adrencorticotropic hormone, stimulates the release of cortisone and other hormones by the adrenal cortex.
See Adrenal cortex, Amino acids, Cortisol, Corticosteroids, Fetal programming, Glucocorticoids, Hormones, Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, Hypothalamus, Peptides, Pituitary gland, Pre-eclampsia, Preterm birth