Acidophilic cells of anterior pituitary secretes?

**Core Concept**
The anterior pituitary gland is a crucial endocrine organ that regulates various bodily functions by secreting several hormones. Acidophilic cells, also known as somatotrophs and lactotrophs, are a type of cell in the anterior pituitary gland that secretes specific hormones in response to hypothalamic releasing hormones.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Somatotrophs and lactotrophs, the acidophilic cells of the anterior pituitary, secrete growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), respectively. Growth hormone is secreted in response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) from the hypothalamus and plays a crucial role in regulating growth, metabolism, and body composition. Prolactin, on the other hand, is secreted in response to the inhibition of dopamine from the hypothalamus and is involved in lactation, reproductive functions, and immune responses. The secretion of GH and PRL by somatotrophs and lactotrophs, respectively, is essential for maintaining normal bodily functions.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the basophilic cells of the anterior pituitary secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), not GH or PRL.

**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the posterior pituitary gland secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, not GH or PRL.

**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the hypothalamus secretes various releasing and inhibiting hormones that regulate the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland, but it does not secrete GH or PRL directly.

**Option D:** This option is incorrect because the thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which are not secreted by the acidophilic cells of the anterior pituitary gland.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that the secretion of GH and PRL by somatotrophs and lactotrophs, respectively, is tightly regulated by the hypothalamus, and any disruption in this regulatory pathway can lead to various endocrine disorders, such as acromegaly (excessive GH secretion) or prolactinoma (excessive PRL secretion).

**Correct Answer:** C. Growth hormone and prolactin.