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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1953, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of melanocyte-stimulating hormone was
in 1953
Dictionary Entries Near melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Cite this Entry
“Melanocyte-stimulating hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanocyte-stimulating%20hormone. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melanocyte-stimulating hormone
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