Endocrine Hormones: Targets, Functions, and Regulation

TRH

Target: Ant. Pit. | Function: Stimulates TSH release from Ant. Pit.

CRH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: Releases ACTH

GnRH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: Releases FSH + LH

PRH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: Releases PRL

PIH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: Inhibiting PRL

GHRH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: GH release

GHIH

Target: Ant. Pituitary | Function: Inhibits GH

OXT (Oxytocin)

Target: Uterus, smooth muscle, mammary glands | Function: Labor contractions, milk ejection/release

ADH (Anti-diuretic hormone)

Target: Kidneys | Function: Water retention + less excretion of water

LH (Luteinizing hormone)

Target: Gonads (testes & ovaries) | Function: Sex hormone secretion, testosterone generation in males, ovulation, estrogen production

FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)

Target: Anterior pituitary gland, gonads, testes | Function: Gamete production

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone)

Target: Thyroid gland | Function: Secretion of thyroid hormone

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)

Target: Adrenal Cortex | Function: Stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids, cortisol

GH (Growth hormone)

Target: Most tissue | Function: Protein synthesis & growth

PRL (Prolactin)

Target: Mammary glands | Function: Milk production

TH (T3 & T4)

Target: All cells | Function: Increase metabolic rate of cells; heat production

Calcitonin

Target: Bone, kidney | Function: Decrease blood calcium levels, most significant in children

PTH

Target: Bone tissue, kidney | Function: Raise blood calcium by stimulating release of calcium from bone & ensure decrease loss of calcium

Insulin (Beta Cells)

Target: Pancreatic islets | Function: Stimulates glucose uptake, promotes glucose to glycogen, lowers glucose levels

Glucagon (Alpha Cells)

Target: Liver | Function: Glycogenolysis (glycogen breakdown), gluconeogenesis (create new glucose), raise glucose levels

Aldosterone

Target: Kidney | Function: Regulate blood Na+ and H2O

Cortisol

Target: Kidney | Function: Blood pressure & sugar regulation

Adrenal Androgens and Estrogen

Target: Reproductive tissue, skin, hair follicles, bone, muscle, brain | Function: Hormone balance, puberty development

Nor/Epinephrine (Sympathetic division)

Target: Adrenal glands | Function: Fight or Flight, heart & circulation, energy mobilization

Zona Glomerulosa

Hormone: Aldosterone | Target: Kidney

Zona Fasciculata

Hormone: Stress hormone (Cortisol)

Zona Reticularis

Function: Secrets backup sex hormones