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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!
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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.
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Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 July 2022
During pregnancy, there even appear to be higher levels of what’s known as melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
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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 7 Feb. 2025.
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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