Important Hormones

Oxytocin

posterior pituitary gland; strong stimulant of uterine contractions released during childbirth, acts as hormonal trigger for milk ejection, acts as a neurotransmitter in brain

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

posterior pituitary gland; hypothalamus contains osmoreceptors that monitor solute concentrations, targets kidney tubules to reabsorb more water to inhibit or prevent urine formation, release also triggered by pain, low blood pressure, and drugs

Growth hormone

anterior pituitary gland; has direct actions on metabolism and indirect growth promoting actions, increases blood levels of fatty acids for use as fuel and encourages cellular protein synthesis

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (tropic

Anterior Pituitary Gland; Stimulates normal development and secretory activity of thyroid, Release triggered by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (THR) from hypothalamus, Inhibited by rising blood levels of thyroid hormones that act on both pituitary and hypothalamu

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (tropic)

Anterior Pituitary Gland; stimulates adrenal cortex to release corticosteroids

Gonadotropins (FSH and LH)

Anterior Pituitary Gland; FSH stimulates production of gametes (egg or sperm), LH promotes production of gonadal hormones 

Prolactin (PRL)

Anterior Pituitary Gland; –Stimulates milk production in females;  role in males not well understood

Thyroid Hormone (TH) (Includes T3 and T4)

Thyroid Gland; Increases basal metabolic rate and heat production, Regulates tissue growth and development, maintains blood pressure

Calcitonin (opposite of PTH)

Thyroid Gland; Produced in response to high Ca2+ levels, Inhibits osteoclast activity and prevents release of Ca2+ from bone matrix, Stimulates Ca2+ uptake and incorporation into bone matrix 

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Parathyroid Gland; Stimulate osteoclasts to digest bone matrix and release Ca2+ to blood, Enhances reabsorption of Ca2+ and secretion by kidneys 

Cortisol 

Adrenal Cortex; increase in blood levels of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, Prime metabolic effect is gluconeogenesis, formation of glucose from fats and proteins

Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)

Adrenal Medulla; vasoconstriction, inc heart rate, inc blood glucose levels, blood diverted to brain, heart and skeletal muscle

Glucagon

pancreas; Break down glycogen into glucose (Glycogenolysis), Synthesize glucose from lactic acid and other noncarbohydrates (Gluconeogenesis), Release glucose into blood 

Insulin

pancreas; Enhances membrane transport of glucose into fat and muscle cells, Inhibits breakdown of glycogen to glucose, Inhibits conversion of amino acids or fats to glucose

Estrogen and Progesterone

Ovaries and Placenta; Maturation of reproductive organs, Appearance of secondary sexual characteristics, With progesterone, causes breast development and cyclic changes in uterine mucosa

With progesterone, causes breast development and cyclic changes in uterine mucosa

testes; Initiates maturation of male reproductive organs, Causes appearance of male secondary sexual characteristics and sex drive, Necessary for normal sperm production