melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun

: any of several vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells

Examples of melanocyte-stimulating hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of drilling and filling, a gel containing the peptide melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) could let teeth grow back from within! —Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2010

Johnson thought the most likely mechanism would be melanocytes—skin cells that contain pigment—and another hormone known as MSH, or melanocyte-stimulating hormone. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 July 2022

During pregnancy, there even appear to be higher levels of what’s known as melanocyte-stimulating hormone. —Korin Miller, SELF, 27 Aug. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun

: either of two vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells

—abbreviation MSH

called also intermedin, melanophore-stimulating hormone, melanotropin