Releasing and Inhibiting Hormones
- hypothalamus
• Target: Anterior pituitary
• Action: Stimulates/inhibits the release of specific pituitary hormones
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Thyroid
• Action: Stimulates production and secretion of thyroxine/thyroid hormone
Prolactin
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Mammary Gland
• Action: Stimulates milk production
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Adrenal Cortex
• Action: Stimulates secretion of corticosteroids/stimulates adrenal glands to produce related steroid hormones
Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Action: Regulates melatonin production
Endorphin
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Brain
• Action: Decreases pain
Growth Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Various cells
• Action: Stimulates general body growth
Luteinizing Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Ovary
• Action: Stimulates ovulation, and production
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- anterior pituitary
• Target: Ovary, Testes
• Action: Simulates ovarian follicle growth/sperm production
Oxytocin
- posterior pituitary
• Target: Mammary gland, Uterus
• Action: Stimulates milk production/uterine contraction
Antidiuretic Hormone
- posterior pituitary
• Target: Kidney
• Action: Increases water absorption/controls water loss in the kidneys
Thyroxine
- thyroid
• Target: Most cells
• Action: Increases metabolic rate and growth
Calcitonin
- thyroid
• Target: Bones
• Action: Stimulates calcium uptake
Parathyroid Hormone
- parathyroid
• Target: Bones, Digestive tract
• Action: Stimulates calcium release into blood/calcium absorption
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
- adrenal glands
• Target: Circulatory and Respiratory System
• Action: Increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar/breathing rate and clears airways
Insulin
- pancreas
• Target: Various Cells
• Action: Stimulate glucose uptake from blood
Glucagon
- pancreas
• Target: Various Cells
• Action: Stimulate glucose release from cells into blood
Estrogen
- ovary
• Target: Various cells
• Action: Stimulates female development and behavior
Progesterone
- ovary
• Target: Uterus
• Action: Stimulates growth of uterine lining
Testosterone
- testes
• Target: Various cells
• Action: Stimulates male development and behavior