The pituitary gland is the master hormone regulator in the body. It is responsible for coordinating the secretion of growth hormone, puberty hormones, cortisol, as well as maintaining salt/water balance. It sits in the middle of the brain, exactly where the two eye nerves go back and cross paths. The pituitary gland may not develop properly, either as an isolated problem during development or as part of a syndrome that involves the eye nerves (septo-optic dysplasia). In addition, tumors of the pituitary gland can lead to over- or under- production of certain hormones.