Somatotrophs are the only pituitary cells that express Ret, GFRα1 and GDNF. This study investigated the effects of Ret in a somatotroph cell line, in primary pituitary cultures and in Ret KO mice. Ret regulates somatotroph numbers by inducing Pit‐1 overexpression, leading to increased p53 expression and apoptosis, both of which can be prevented with Ret or Pit‐1 siRNA. The Pit‐1 overexpression is mediated by sustained activation of PKCδ, JNK, c/EBPα and CREB induced by a complex of Ret, caspase 3 and PKCδ. In the presence of GDNF, Akt is activated, and the Pit‐1 overexpression and resulting apoptosis are blocked. The adenopituitary of Ret KO mice is larger than normal, showing Pit‐1 and somatotroph hyperplasia. In normal animals, activation of the Ret/Pit‐1/p53 pathway by retroviral introduction of Ret blocked tumor growth in vivo. Thus, somatotrophs have an intrinsic mechanism for controlling Pit‐1/GH production through an apoptotic/survival pathway. Ret might be of value for treatment of pituitary adenomas.