Hormonal Functions and Effects in the Human Body

leptin

acts on hypothalamus to suppress appetite

glucocorticoids

act on liver and muscle to influence glucose metabolism

aldosterone

acts on kidneys to promote Na+ retention and K+ excretion

epinephrine

acts on heart, bronchioles, and blood vessels to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles

atrial natriuretic hormone

acts on the kidneys to promote excretion of Na+

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)/vasopressin

acts on kidneys and blood vessels to promote water retention and vasoconstriction

oxytocin

stimulates contraction of smooth muscle in uterus and mammary glands to trigger uterine contraction and milk ejection

releasing hormones

act on anterior pituitary to cause release of tropic hormones

growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release growth hormone

thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)/thyrotropin

prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release prolactin

lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release lutenizing hormone (LH)

follicle stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (FSHRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

acts on anterior pituitary and causes it to release corticotropin/adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

growth hormone (GH)

promotes movement of amino acids into cells and protein production (tissue and organ growth)

thyrotropin/thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

stimulates thyroid gland to produce and secrete thyroxin

prolactin (PRL)

acts on mammary glands of females to promote milk production

lutenizing hormone (LH)

in females, acts on ovaries to stimulate ovulation. In males, acts on testes to stimulate secretion of sex hormones (mostly testosterone)

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

stimulates growth of ovarian follicles in females and production of sperm in males

corticotropin/adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids such as hydrocortisone (cortisol)

secretin

acts on stomach, liver, and pancreas to inhibit gastric motility and stimulate production of bile and pancreatic juice

cholecystokinin (CCK)

acts on stomach, liver, and pancreas to inhibit gastric motility and stimulate production of bile and pancreatic juice

insulin

acts on many tissues to promote uptake of glucose and formation of glycogen and fat

glucagon

acts on liver and adipose tissue to promote hydrolysis of glycogen and fat

erythropoietin

acts on bone marrow to stimulate RBC production

somatomedins

acts on cartilage to stimulate cell division and growth

estradiol and progesterone

maintains reproductive tract and promotes secondary sex characteristics

parathyroid hormone

acts on bone, small intestine, and kidneys to increase Ca++ concentration in blood

thyroxine/tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)

act on most organs to promote growth and development and stimulate cell respiration

calcitonin

acts on many organs to lower Ca++ levels in blood

melatonin

acts on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland to affect secretion of gonadotrophic hormones

vitamin D

acts on small intestine to stimulate absorption of Ca++

gastrin

acts on stomach to stimulate hydrochloric acid secretion

testosterone

acts on prostate, seminal vesicles, and other organs to stimulate development of secondary sexual characteristics

thymosin

acts on lymph nodes to stimulate white blood cell production

ADIPOSE TISSUE

leptin

ADRENAL CORTEX

- glucocorticoids

- mineralocorticoids

- aldosterone

ADRENAL MEDULLA

- epinephrine

- norepinephrine

HEART

atrial natriuretic hormone

HYPOTHALAMUS

- antidiuretic hormone/vasopressin

- oxytocin

- releasing hormones

- release inhibiting hormones

ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

- growth hormone

- thyrotropin/thryoid-stimulating hormone

- prolactin

- luteinizing hormone

- follicle stimulating hormone

- corticotropin/adrenocorticotropic hormone

POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

- antidiuretic hormone/vasopressin

- oxytocin

SMALL INTESTINE

- secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK)

PANCREAS

- insulin

- glucagon

KIDNEYS

- erythropoietin

LIVER

- somatomedins

OVARIES

- estradiol and progensterone

PARATHYROID GLANDS

- parathyroid hormone

THYROID GLAND

- thyroxine

- triiodothyronine

- calcitonin

PINEAL GLAND

- melatonin

SKIN

- vitamin D

STOMACH

- gastrin

TESTES

- testosterone

THYMUS

- thymosin