Differential role of anterior and posterior pituitary lobes in healthy aging and perceived stress

The volume of the pituitary gland (PG) is impacted by both age and sex. However, their respective impact on the anterior and posterior lobes of the PG (APG and PPG) remains unclear, despite known distinctions in their neuroendocrinal roles. In this context, we investigated the impact of age and sex on the volume of each PG lobe across healthy adulthood. Lastly, we also tested whether perceived stress was influenced by the volumes of the APG and/or PPG and if the effects varied by age or sex. Results showed that older adults had a smaller APG but a larger PPG, compared to the younger adults. Women had a larger APG than men. Lastly, a main negative effect of PPG and an interaction between age-group and APG were reported on stress level, with the younger adults showing a negative association while the older adults had a positive association. Overall, we demonstrated that each PG lobe shows a different sex effect and age-related trajectory, with each having a different modulation on stress. This work underscores the need to examine the distinct roles of APG and PPG in the context of healthy and pathological aging.