Endocrine Hormones and Their Effects

Hormones Overview

ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Hypothalamus / Posterior Pituitary
  • Target Organ: Kidney (Collecting ducts)
  • Effects: Promotes water reabsorption, reducing urine volume and conserving body water.

OT (Oxytocin)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Hypothalamus / Posterior Pituitary
  • Target Organ: Smooth muscle (Uterus or Mammary glands)
  • Effects: Causes smooth muscle contraction, facilitating fetal expulsion during childbirth and initiating milk let-down during breastfeeding.

GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Hypothalamus
  • Target Organ: Anterior Pituitary
  • Effects: Stimulates the release of Growth Hormone (GH).

GH (Growth Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Anterior Pituitary
  • Target Organ: Liver
  • Effects: Stimulates the release of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) from the liver, promoting growth and development.

IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Liver
  • Target Organ: Bone
  • Effects: Stimulates growth at the epiphyseal growth plate, promoting long bone growth.

TRH (Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Hypothalamus
  • Target Organ: Anterior Pituitary
  • Effects: Stimulates the release of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH).

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Anterior Pituitary
  • Target Organ: Thyroid Gland
  • Effects: Stimulates the release of Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) from the thyroid gland.

T3 and T4 (Thyroid Hormones)

  • Type: Amine
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Thyroid Gland
  • Target Organs: Liver, Muscle, and other tissues (ubiquitous)
  • Effects: Regulate basal metabolic rate (BMR), influencing energy expenditure and metabolism.

PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Parathyroid Gland
  • Target Organ: Bone
  • Effects: Activates osteoclasts to increase calcium levels in the blood by mobilizing calcium from bones.

CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Hypothalamus
  • Target Organ: Anterior Pituitary
  • Effects: Stimulates the release of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH).

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)

  • Type: Protein/peptide
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Anterior Pituitary
  • Target Organ: Adrenal Cortex
  • Effects: Stimulates the production and release of cortisol.

Cortisol

  • Type: Steroid
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Adrenal Gland
  • Target Organs: Liver and other tissues (ubiquitous)
  • Effects: Increases blood glucose levels and helps prevent inflammation.

Eicosanoids

  • Type: Fatty Acid
  • Site of Production/Secretion: Blood vessels
  • Target Organs: Blood vessels (ubiquitous)
  • Effects: Involved in vasodilation and vasoconstriction, regulating blood flow and blood pressure.