The pituitary can also have an indirect affect on the body, by regulating the other endocrine glands. Its indirect functions include:

• secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone, which acts on the thyroid gland to regulate the assimilation and metabolism of foods
• secreting ACTH, which acts on the adrenal gland to regulate body composition, adaptation, and resistance to stress
• secreting gonadotrophins, which act on the gonads to regulate sexual development, activity and reproduction
• regulating respiration, circulation, digestion, urinary excretion, fat-mobilisation and muscular activity via the combined actions of many hormones.