Endocrine System

Human Growth Hormone

Location: Anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: bone, cartilage, soft tissues

Function/response: promotes bone and cartilage growth

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

Location: Anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: thyroid

Function/response: secretion and storage of T3, T4 hormones

ACTH

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: brain

Function/response triggers cortisol release

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: chromophobes

Target organ: melanocytes

Function/response:stimulates melanocytes, produces melanin

B-endorphins

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: brain

Function/response: pain relief

Lipotropins

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: adipose/fat cells

Function/response: break down fat

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Location: Anterior pituitary

Cell type: Basophils

Target organ:reproductive organs

Function/response: induces ovulation, produces androgens

Follicle stimulating hormones (FSH)

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: basophils

Target organ: reproductive organs

Function/response: produces estrogen + sperm

Prolactin

Location: anterior pituitary

Cell type: acidophil

Target organ: mammary glands, reproductive organs

Function/response: milk production

Oxytocin

Location: posterior pituitary

Cell type: Hypothalamic neurons

Target organ: smooth muscles, brain

Function/response: releases upon happy interactions, stimulates smooth muscle contractions

Vasopressin

Location: posterior pituitary

Cell type: hypothalamic neurons

Target organ: kidneys

Function/response: reduce urine output, vasoconstriction

T3/T4

Location: Thyroid

Cell type: Follicular cells

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: influences metabolism

Calcitonin

Location: thyroid

Cell type: parafollicular cells

Target organ: bone

Function/response: stimulates bone growth and osteoblasts

Parathyroid hormone

Location: parathyroid

Cell type: parafollicular cells

Target organ: bone, kidneys, intestines

Function/response: increases blood calcium, stimulates osteoclasts

Aldosterone

Location: Adrenal gland

Cell type: zona glomerulosa

Target organ: kidneys

Function/response: increases rates of sodium reabsorption

Cortisol

Location: adrenal gland

Cell type: zona fasciculata

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: increases fat, protein, and glucose synthesis, regulates body’s response to stress

Androgens

Location: adrenal gland

Cell type: zona reticularis

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: onset of puberty, axillaire and pubic hair growth

Epinephrine/Adrenaline

Location: adrenal gland

Cell type: medulla

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: dilation of blood vessels in skeletal and cardiac muscles

Insulin

Location: pancreas

Cell type: beta cells

Target organ: liver

Function/response: decrease blood glucose

Glucagon

Location: pancreas

Cell type: alpha cells

Target organ: liver

Function/response: increases blood glucose

Melatonin

Location: pineal gland

Cell type: cells of pineal gland

Target organ: brain

Function/response: regulates circadian rhythm

Estrogen

Location:ovary

Cell type: follicle cells

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: maintenance of reproductive organs, menstrual cycle

Progesterone

Location: ovary

Cell type: follicle cells

Target organ:all cells

Function/response: maintains reproductive organs

Relaxin

Location: ovary

Cell type: follicle cells

Target organ: connective tissues

Function/response: facilitates delivery, relaxes connective tissue

Testosterone

Location: testes

Cell type: interstitial cells

Target organ: all cells

Function/response: sperm production, sex drive, development of male reproductive system