mel·a·no·cyte-stim·u·lat·ing hormone (m l  -n -s t st my-l tng, m-l n-)n. Abbr. MSH A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates skin color in humans and other vertebrates by stimulating melanin synthesis in melanocytes and melanin granule dispersal in melanophores. Also called intermedin. |
| melanocyte-stimulating hormone A hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and regulates skin color by stimulating melanin synthesis in humans and other vertebrates. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone stimulates the melanin-producing cells (called melanocytes) of mammals and the melanin-containing cells (called melanophores) of reptiles and amphibians. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | melanocyte-stimulating hormone - a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that controls the degree of pigmentation in melanocytes endocrine, hormone, internal secretion - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect |
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