Endocrine System

Hypothalamic Releasing Hormones

• tropic

• produced by the hypothalamus

• targets anterior pituitary gland

• regulates the release of pituitary hormones

• is controlled by many different mechanisms

Oxytocin

• produced by hypothalamus, stored in pituitary

• targets uterus to initiate contractions and is controlled by cervix stretching

• targets mammary glands and triggers milk release or letdown and is controlled by crying/suckling baby

• initiated by nerves in the hypothalamus

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

• produced by hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary gland

• targets kidneys

• promotes reabsorption of water

• controlled by hypothalamus (neurons) based on salt balance in the blood

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

• tropic

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• targets thyroid gland

• stimulates thyroid to release thyroxine

• controlled by TRH from the hypothalamus

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

• tropic

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• target adrenal cortex

• stimulates the release of cortisol

• part of long term stress

• controlled by releasing hormones from the hypothalamus

Growth Hormone (GH)

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• targets body cells (long bones and muscles)

• promotes the increase in cell division (mitosis) and growth

• controlled by releasing hormones in the hypothalamus

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

• tropic

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• targets ovaries (follicle) and stimulates follicle development and estrogen release

• targets testes (Sertoli cells) and stimulates Sertoli cells to stimulate spermatogenesis

• controlled by Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Leuteinizing Hormone (LH)

• tropic

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• targets ovaries to stimulate ovulation, corpus luteum formation, estrogen and progesterone release

• targets testes (interstitial cells) to stimulate testosterone production

• controlled by Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Prolactin

• produced by anterior pituitary gland

• targets mammary glands

• stimulates and maintains milk production

• controlled my hypothalamic releasing hormones

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

• produced by adrenal medulla

• targets many body cells like the heart and lungs

• initiates the fight/flight response

• part of short term stress response

• controlled by sympathetic neuron pathways from the hypothalamus

Cortisol (glucocorticoids)

• produced by adrenal cortex

• targets liver and muscles

• causes conversion of amino acids into glucose, to increase blood glucose, also reduces inflammation

• controlled by ACTH released from anterior pituitary

Aldosterone (mineralocorticoids)

• produced by adrenal cortex

• targets kidneys

• promotes reabsorption of Na+, increases therefore water reabsorption, increase blood pressure as well

• controlled by Na+/K+ levels in the blood

Insulin

• produced by the pancreas (Islets of Langerhans in the beta cells)

• targets body cells to uptake glucose and liver to convert glucose to glycogen

• controlled by high blood glucose levels

Glucagon

• produced by the pancreas (Islets of Langerhans in the alpha cells)

• targets liver to convert glycogen back into glucose

• controlled by low blood glucose levels

Thyroxine (T4)

• produced by the thyroid gland

• target body cells

• increases cellular respiration, increases metabolism

• controlled by release of TSH from anterior pituitary gland

Calcitonin

• produced by thyroid gland

• targets bones to store Ca2+, inhibit reabsorption of Ca2+ in the kidneys, and absorption of Ca2+ in the intestine to decrease blood Ca2+ levels

• controlled by increased blood Ca2+ levels

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

• produced by parathyroid glands

• targets bones to release Ca2+, promotes reabsorption of Ca2+ in kidneys, and absorption of Ca2+ in the intestine to increase blood Ca2+ levels

• controlled by low blood Ca2+ levels

Testosterone (androgens)

• produced by the testis

• targets Sertoli cells and many other tissues

• supports spermatogenesis, develops and maintains secondary sex characteristics

• controlled by Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Estrogen

• produced by ovaries (follicle and corpus luteum)

• targets uterus and many other cells

• develops and maintains secondary sex characteristics, thickening of the endometrium in preparation for pregnancy

• controlled by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Progesterone

• produced by ovaries (corpus luteum)

• targets uterus and many other cells

• promotes continue growth of endometrium, prevents ovulation, prevents uterine contractions

• controlled by Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Progesterone, Estrogen, Chorionic Gonadotropin

• produced by the placenta

• targets the ovaries and uterus

• maintains uterine lining during pregnancy

• controlled by the presence of placenta in pregnancy