Hormones: Sources, Targets and Functions

Source
Hormone
Target

Thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)

Physiologic Effect
Growth of
Ovary and
ovarian follicles or
Testes
seminiferous tubules
Production of
Ovary and
estrogen and progesterone
Testes
or testosterone
Stimulate milk production in
Ovary and
breast
Mammary
maintain secretion of estrogen
and progesterone by ovary
Stimulates secretion of
Thyroid
thyroid hormones
Stimulates secretion of
Adrenal cortex
adrenal cortex hormones

Growth hormone (GH)

General

Stimulates growth

Melanocyte-stimulating
hormone (MSH)

Melanocytes

Stimulates dispersal of
pigment in chromatophores

Oxytocin

Uterus and
Mammary

Stimulates contraction and

secretion of milk

Antidiuretic hormone
(ADH)

Kidney

Stimulates reabsorption of
water

Thyroxin and
triodothyroxin

General

Anterior
pituitary

Follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH)

Anterior
pituitary

Luteinizing hormone
(LH)

Anterior
pituitary

Prolactin (LTH)

Anterior
pituitary
Anterior
pituitary
Anterior
pituitary
Anterior
pituitary
Hypothalamus
via
posterior
pituitary
Hypothalamus
via
posterior
pituitary
Thyroid gland

Thyroid gland Calcitonin

Bone

Parathyroid
gland

Bone, kidney
digestive tract

Parathyroid hormone

Mineralocorticoids
Kidney
(aldosterone)
Glucoocorticoids
Adrenal cortex
General
(cortisol)
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Adrenal cortex
(DHEA)
Adrenal
Epinephrine
Muscle, liver
medulla
(adrenalin)
Adrenal
Norepinephrine
Blood vessels
medulla
Adrenal cortex

Stimulates metabolism,
growth and development
Lowers blood calcium level
by
inhibiting bone breakdown
Increases blood calcium by
stimulating bone breakdown
Maintain sodium and
phosphate balance
Raise blood-glucose level
adapt to long-term stress
Stimulate sex drive
induce labor
Stimulates glucose release
short term cope with stress
Constricts blood vessels
increase heart rate

Melatonin

Gonads,
pigment cells
other cells

Pancreas
alpha cells

Glucagon

Liver
fatty tissue

Pancreas
beta cells

Insulin

General

Ovary

Estrogen
estradiol

General
uterus

Ovary

Progestrogen

Ovary and
placenta

Relaxin

Placenta

Chorionic
gonadotropin

Testes

Testosterone

Testes

Inhibin

Testes

Testosterone

Pineal gland

Duodenal
mucosa
Duodenal
mucosa

Uterus
breast
Pelvic
ligaments
Anterior
pituitary
General and
reproductive
structures
Anterior lobe
of pituitary
General and
reproductive
structures

Secretin

Pancreas

Cholecystokinin

Gallbladder

Control biorhythms
influence reproduction
Raise blood glucose
concentration
stimulate gluconeogenesis
Lower blood glucose
concentration
stimulate glycogen synthesis
Develop/maintain female
characteristics
stimulate growth of uterine
lining
Stimulate development of
uterine lining
Relaxes pelvic ligaments
Stimulates release of FSH and
LH
Develops and maintains male
sex characteristics
promotes spermatogenesis
Inhibits FSH release
Develops and maintains male
sex characteristics
promotes spermatogenesis
Stimulates secretion of
pancreatic juice
Stimulates release of bile by
gallbladder