melanocyte-stimulating hormone

American

[muh-lan-uh-sahyt-stim-yuh-lay-ting, mel-uh-nuh-] / məˈlæn əˌsaɪtˌstɪm jəˌleɪ tɪŋ, ˈmɛl ə nə- /

noun

Biochemistry.

melanocyte-stimulating hormone Scientific

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.

First recorded in 1950–55

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023