hormones and the brain

hypothalamus

controls pituitary

pineal gland

melatonin

pituitary gland

“master gland”

Posterior pituitary 

oxytocin and ADH 

thyroid gland

t4 and t3

adrenal gland

stress response, metabolism, cortisol 

adrenal medulla

epinephrine + norepinephrine

pancreas

insulin and glucagon

gonads

estrogen, progesterone, testosterone

Neural Communication:

precise destination, nearby cells, fast but short-lasting 

hormonal communication

throughout body, any cell, slow but long lasting

hormones released via endocrine system

travels through blood to act far away

hormones released via neurocrine system

acts like neurotransmitter at nearby cell

hormones released via Neuroendocrine system

released after neural stimulation and traveling through blood to distant targets

pheromones

chems affect same species

allomones

chems affect diff species

peptide/protein hormones 

activate second messenger, “doorbell” signal 

amine hormones

some bind to surface, some enter cell

steroid hormone

pass through membrane, affect gene activity directly 

anterior pituitary hormones 

FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, Endorphins, GH

hormone to hormone signaling pathway

Hypothalamus → Pituitary → Target gland → Body response

Testes hormone

testosterone 

ovaries hormone

Estrogen + progestin 

Effects of castration on males

Sexual behavior decreases, aggression decreases, less masculine traits 

estrogen in paternal behavior

prepares the brain for maternal behavior

Progesterone maternal behavior

works with estrogen to promote nurturing behavior

prolactin maternal behavior

milk production and care of pups

oxytocin maternal behavior

promotes bonding and maternal care behaviors