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melanocyte-stimulating hormone

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
mel·a·no·cyte-stim·u·lat·ing hormone  (ml-n-ststmy-ltng, m-ln-)
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
Noun1.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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