The pituitary, which is located at the base of the brain, is considered the master gland because it controls the other endocrine glands and produces a number of hormones that stimulate growth, metabolic or sexual functions. Much is now known about this tiny organ, but three doctors at Yale University School of Medicine broke new ground more than 60 years ago by being the first to isolate a pituitary hormone in pure form. On this date in 1937, Drs. Abraham White, Hubert Catchpole and Cyril Long announced their findings in the journal Science. Researchers have since isolated nine hormones in three sections of the pituitary.

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