Endocrine Glands and Hormones: Functions and Targets

Aldosterone

Gland: Adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa);

Target: Kidneys;

Effect: Increases Na+ and water → raises blood volume/pressure, excretes K+ and H+

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Gland: Posterior pituitary; Target: Kidneys, sweat glands, arterioles; Effect: Water retention, decreases urine, increases BP

ACTH

Gland: Anterior pituitary (corticotrophs); Target: Adrenal cortex; Effect: Stimulates cortisol release

Calcitonin (CT)

Gland: Thyroid (parafollicular cells); Target: Bone; Effect: Lowers blood Ca2+

Cortisol

Gland: Adrenal cortex (zona fasciculata); Target: Many tissues; Effect: Stress hormone, ↑ glucose, ↓ immune response, ↑ BP

DHEA

Gland: Adrenal cortex (zona reticularis); Target: Reproductive tissues; Effect: Pubic/axillary hair, libido, estrogen source

Epinephrine & Norepinephrine

Gland: Adrenal medulla (chromaffin cells); Target: Heart & body; Effect: Fight-or-flight response

Estrogen & Progesterone

Gland: Ovaries; Target: Female reproductive organs; Effect: Reproductive cycle, pregnancy, secondary sex traits

FSH

Gland: Anterior pituitary (gonadotrophs); Target: Ovaries/testes; Effect: Egg & sperm production

Glucagon

Gland: Pancreas (alpha cells); Target: Liver; Effect: Raises blood glucose

Growth hormone (GH)

Gland: Anterior pituitary; Target: Most tissues; Effect: Body growth

Inhibin

Gland: Testes & ovaries; Target: Anterior pituitary; Effect: Inhibits FSH

Insulin

Gland: Pancreas (beta cells); Target: Liver, muscle, fat; Effect: Lowers blood glucose

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Gland: Anterior pituitary; Target: Ovaries/testes; Effect: Ovulation, testosterone production

Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)

Gland: Anterior pituitary; Target: Brain/skin; Effect: Skin pigmentation (excess = darker skin)

Oxytocin

Gland: Posterior pituitary; Target: Uterus, mammary glands; Effect: Labor contractions, milk ejection

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Gland: Parathyroid (chief cells); Target: Bone, kidneys; Effect: Raises blood Ca2+

Prolactin (PRL)

Gland: Anterior pituitary (lactotrophs); Target: Mammary glands; Effect: Milk production

Relaxin

Gland: Ovaries; Target: Pelvis, cervix; Effect: Relaxes pelvis, dilates cervix

Testosterone

Gland: Testes (Leydig cells); Target: Male tissues; Effect: Male traits, sperm production

Thymosin

Gland: Thymus; Target: WBCs; Effect: T-cell maturation

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Gland: Anterior pituitary; Target: Thyroid; Effect: Stimulates T3/T4 release

T3 & T4

Gland: Thyroid (follicular cells); Target: Most tissues; Effect: ↑ metabolism, growth, energy use