Which hormone does the pituitary gland send in response to a stressor?

The correct response from the pituitary gland in reaction to a stressor is the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. This hormone plays a significant role in the body’s response to stress, particularly by regulating water balance and maintaining blood pressure. During stressful situations, the body can experience fluid loss or fluctuating blood pressure, and ADH helps to conserve water in the kidneys, thus ensuring adequate hydration and blood volume. This mechanism is crucial during times of physical stress when the body requires optimal functioning.

Cortisol, while a hormone released during stress, is produced by the adrenal glands in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is itself secreted by the pituitary gland, but the initial step involves the activation of the adrenal glands rather than a direct response from the pituitary. Adrenaline (epinephrine), another stress-related hormone, is released from the adrenal glands without direct action from the pituitary. Testosterone does not have a primary role in acute stress responses and serves different functions primarily related to reproduction and muscle mass.