Endocrine System Hormones
Endocrine Gland | Hormone Secreted | Effects of Hormone on Target Tissues/Organs |
Hypothalamus | Hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones | Regulates anterior pituitary hormones |
Anterior pituitary | Human growth hormone (hGH) | Stimulates cell division, bone and muscle growth, and metabolic functions |
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | Stimulates the thyroid gland | |
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | Stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids | |
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Stimulates production of ova and sperm from the ovaries and testes | |
Luteinizing hormone (LH) | Stimulates sex hormone production from the ovaries and testes | |
Prolactin (PRL) | Stimulates milk production from the mammary glands | |
Posterior pituitary | Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | Promotes the retention of water by the kidneys |
Oxytocin (OCT) | Stimulates uterine muscle contractions and release of milk by the mammary glands | |
Thyroid | Thyroxine (T₄) | Affects all tissues; increases metabolic rate and regulates growth and development |
Calcitonin | Targets bones and kidneys to lower blood calcium by inhibiting release of calcium from bone and reabsorption of calcium by kidneys | |
Parathyroid | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Raises blood calcium levels by stimulating bone cells to release calcium, the intestine to absorb calcium from food, and the kidneys to reabsorb calcium |
Adrenal cortex | Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) | Stimulates tissues to raise blood glucose and break down protein |
Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone) | Promotes reabsorption of sodium and water by the kidneys | |
Gonadocorticoids | Promotes secondary sexual characteristics | |
Adrenal medulla | Epinephrine and norepinephrine | Fight-or-flight hormones |
Pancreas | Insulin | Lowers blood glucose levels and promotes the formation of glycogen in the liver |
Glucagon | Raises blood glucose levels by converting glycogen in the liver to glucose | |
Ovaries | Estrogen | Stimulates uterine lining growth and promotes development of the female secondary sexual characteristics |
Progesterone | Promotes growth of the uterine lining and prevents uterine muscle contractions | |
Testes | Testosterone | Promotes sperm formation and development of the male secondary sexual characteristics |