Hormones
Where the hormone is produced | Hormone(s) secreted | Hormone function |
|---|---|---|
Adrenal glands | Aldosterone | Regulates salt, water balance, and blood pressure |
Adrenal glands | Corticosteroid | Controls key functions in the body; acts as an anti-inflammatory; maintains blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength; regulates salt and water balance |
Pituitary gland | Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) | Affects water retention in kidneys; controls blood pressure |
Pituitary gland | Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | Controls production of sex hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men) and the production of eggs in women and sperm in men. |
Pituitary gland | Growth hormone (GH) | Affects growth and development; stimulates protein production; affects fat distribution |
Pituitary gland | Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Controls production of sex hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men) and the production of eggs in women and sperm in men |
Pituitary gland | Oxytocin | Stimulates contraction of uterus and milk ducts in the breast |
Pituitary gland | Prolactin | Initiates and maintains milk production in breasts; impacts sex hormone levels |
Pituitary gland | Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | Stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones |
Kidneys | Renin and angiotensin | Controls blood pressure, both directly and also by regulating aldosterone production from the adrenal glands |
Kidneys | Erythropoietin | Affects red blood cell (RBC) production |
Pancreas | Glucagon | Raises blood sugar levels |
Pancreas | Insulin | Lowers blood sugar levels; stimulates metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat |
Ovaries | Estrogen | Affects development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive development, important for functioning of uterus and breasts; also protects bone health |
Ovaries | Progesterone | Stimulates the lining of the uterus for fertilization; prepares the breasts for milk production |
Parathyroid glands | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Most important regulator of blood calcium levels |
Thyroid gland | Thyroid hormone | Controls metabolism; also affects growth, maturation, nervous system activity, and metabolism |
Adrenal glands | Epinephrine | Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow |
Adrenal glands | Norepinephrine | Maintains blood pressure |
Testes (testicles) | Testosterone | Develop and maintain male sexual characteristics and maturation |
Pineal gland | Melatonin | Releases melatonin during night hours to help with sleep |
Hypothalamus | Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) | Regulates growth hormone release in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) | Regulates thyroid stimulating hormone release in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) | Regulates LH/FSH production in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) | Regulates adrenocorticotropin release in the pituitary gland |
Thymus | Humoral factors | Helps develop the lymphoid system |