Endocrine Hormones & Functions

hGH

Stimulates secretion of hormones that signal body growth and metabolism. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets bone, skl. muscle, liver, etc)

TSH

Stimulates growth of thyroid gland and secretion of its hormones. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets thyroid gland)

FSH

Stimulates sperm/ooctye production and estrogen secretion. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets testes, ovaries)

LH

Triggers ovulation, stimulates secretion of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets testes, ovaries)

PL

Stimulates production and secretion of milk. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets mammary glands)

ACTH

Stimulates secretion of hormones from adrenal cortex. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets adrenal cortex)

MSH

Stimulates secretion of melanin to cause darkening of the skin. (Produced in ant. pituitary/targets skin)

ADH

Decreases water lost in urine by returning it to the blood. (Produced in hypothalamus/stored in post. pituitary/targets kidneys)

OT

Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection during suckling. (Produced in hypothalamus/stored in post. pituitary/ targets uterus and mammary glands)

T3 & T4

Increases metabolism and basal metabolic rate. (Produced in thyroid gland/targets most cells)

Calcitonin

Inhibits osteoclasts thereby decreasing blood calcium levels. (Produced by C cells in thyroid gland/targets osteoclasts in bone)

PTH

Stimulates osteoclasts thereby increasing blood calcium levels. (Produced by principal cells in parathyroid gland/targets osteoclasts in bone)

Aldosterone

Decreases sodium and water loss in urine by returning them to blood. (Produced in zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex/targets kidneys)

Cortisol

Increases resistance to stress, increases blood glucose levels, decreases inflammation. (Produced in zona facsiculata of adrenal cortex/targets liver, muscle, cells involved in body defense)

DHEA

Increases sex drive in females. (Produced in zona reticularis of adrenal cortex/targets uterus, mammary glands, etc.)

Epinephrine & Norepinephrine

Promotes fight or flight response. (Produced in adrenal medulla/targets body cells)

Insulin

Decreases blood glucose levels. (Produced by beta cells in pancreas/targets most body cells)

Glucagon

Stimulates breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver thereby increasing blood glucose. (Produced by alpha cells in pancreas/targets liver)

Estrogen

Stimulates development of female sex characteristics and regulates menstrual cycle. (Produced in ovaries/targets uterus, mammary glands, etc)

Progesterone

Stimulates development of female sex characteristics and regulates menstrual cycle. (Produced in ovaries/targets uterus, mammary glands, etc)

Testosterone

Stimulates development of male sex characteristics, stimulates male sex drive, regulates sperm production. (Produced by testes/targets testes, muscles, etc)

Melatonin

Helps set biological clock. (Produced by pineal gland/targets other brain regions)

Thymosin

Promotes maturation of T lymphocytes involved in immune response. (Produced by thymus/targets T cells)