HORMONES SECRETED HYPOTHALAMIC HYPOTHALAMIC TARGET PRINCIPAL ACTIONS

BY RELEASING INHIBITING TISSUES

HORMONE HORMONE

ANTERIOR PITUITARY

Human growth hormone Somatotrophs Growth hormone– Growth hormone– Liver (and other Stimulates liver, muscle, cartilage, bone, and other
(hGH), releasing hormone inhibiting hormone tissues) tissues to synthesize and secrete insulin-like growth
somatotropin (GHRH), (GHIH), factors (IGFs); IGFs promote growth of body cells,
somatocrinin. somatostatin protein synthesis, tissue repair, lipolysis, and
elevation of blood glucose concentration

Thyroid-stimulating hormone Thyrotrophs Thyrotropin-releasing Growth hormone– Thyroid gland Stimulates synthesis and secretion of thyroid
(TSH), thyrotropin hormone (TRH) inhibiting hormone hormones by thyroid gland
(GHIH)

Follicle-stimulating hormone Gonadotrophs Gonadotropin- ----- Ovary, Testes In females, initiates development of oocytes and
(FSH) releasing hormone induces ovarian secretion of estrogens. In males,
(GnRH) stimulates testes to produce sperm

Luteinizing hormone (LH) Gonadotrophs Gonadotropin- ----- Ovary, Testis In females, stimulates secretion of estrogens and
releasing hormone progesterone, ovulation, and formation of corpus
(GnRH) luteum. In males, stimulates testes to produce
testosterone

Prolactin (PRL) Lactotrophs Prolactin-releasing Prolactin-inhibiting Mammary glands Together with other hormones, promotes milk
hormone (PRH) hormone (PIH), production by mammary glands
dopamine

Adrenocorticotropic hormone Corticotrophs Corticotropin- ----- Adrenal cortex Stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids (mainly
(ACTH), releasing hormone cortisol) by adrenal cortex
corticotropin (CRH)

Melanocyte-stimulating Corticotrophs Corticotropin- Dopamine Brain Exact role in humans is unknown but may influence
hormone (MSH) releasing hormone brain activity; when present in excess, can cause
(CRH) darkening of skin.

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HORMONE TARGET TISSUES CONTROL OF SECRETION PRINCIPAL ACTIONS

POSTERIOR PITUITARY

Oxytocin (OT) Uterus, mammary Neurosecretory cells of hypothalamus secrete OT in Stimulates contraction of smooth muscle cells of
glands response to uterine distension and stimulation of nipples. uterus during childbirth; stimulates contraction of
myoepithelial cells in mammary glands to cause milk
ejection.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
or vasopressin
Kidneys, Neurosecretory cells of hypothalamus secrete ADH in
Sudoriferous glands, response to elevated blood osmotic pressure, dehydration,
Arterioles loss of blood volume, pain, or stress; inhibitors of ADH
secretion include low blood osmotic pressure, high blood
volume, and alcohol.
Conserves body water by decreasing urine volume;
decreases water loss through perspiration; raises
blood pressure by constricting arterioles.

HORMONE SOURCE CONTROL OF SECRETION PRINCIPAL ACTIONS

THYROID GLAND

T3 and T4 follicular cells Secretion is increased by TRH, which stimulates release
of TSH in response to low thyroid hormone levels, low
metabolic rate, cold, pregnancy, and high altitudes; TRH
and TSH secretions are inhibited in response to high
thyroid hormone levels; high iodine level suppresses
T3/T4 secretion
Increase basal metabolic rate; stimulate synthesis of proteins;
increase use of glucose and fatty acids for ATP production;
increase lipolysis; enhance cholesterol excretion; accelerate
body growth; contribute to development of nervous system.

Calcitonin (CT) parafollicular cells High blood Ca2 levels stimulate secretion; low blood Lowers blood levels of Ca2 and HPO4 2 by inhibiting bone
Ca2 levels inhibit secretion resorption by osteoclasts and by accelerating uptake of
calcium and phosphates into bone extracellular matrix

PARATHYROID GLAND

Parathyroid hormone chief cells Low blood Ca2 levels stimulate secretion; Increases blood Ca2 and Mg2 levels and decreases blood
(PTH) high blood Ca2 levels inhibit secretion. HPO42- level; increases bone resorption by osteoclasts;

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 increases Ca2 reabsorption and HPO4 2 excretion by kidneys;
promotes formation of calcitriol (active form of vitamin D),
which increases rate of dietary Ca2 and Mg2 absorption.

ADRENAL GLANDS

ADRENAL CORTEX HORMONES

Mineralocorticoids zona glomerulosa cells Increased blood K level and angiotensin II Increase blood levels of Na and water; decrease blood level of
(mainly aldosterone) stimulate secretion. K.

Glucocorticoids zona fasciculata cells ACTH stimulates release; corticotropin-releasing Increase protein breakdown (except in liver), stimulate
(mainly cortisol) hormone (CRH) promotes ACTH secretion in response gluconeogenesis and lipolysis, provide resistance to stress,
to stress and low blood levels of glucocorticoids. dampen infl ammation, depress immune responses.

Androgens (mainly zona reticularis cells ACTH stimulates secretion Assist in early growth of axillary and pubic hair in both
dehydroepiandrostero sexes; in females, contribute to libido and are source of
ne, or DHEA) estrogens after menopause

ADRENAL MEDULLA HORMONES

Epinephrine and chromaffin cells Sympathetic preganglionic neurons release Enhance effects of sympathetic division of autonomic
norepinephrine acetylcholine, which stimulates secretion. nervous system (ANS) during stress.

PANCREATIC ISLET HORMONES

Glucagon Alpha cells Decreased blood level of glucose, exercise, and mainly Raises blood glucose level by accelerating breakdown of
protein meals stimulate secretion; somatostatin and glycogen into glucose in liver (glycogenolysis), converting
insulin inhibit secretion other nutrients into glucose in liver (gluconeogenesis), and
releasing glucose into blood.

Insulin Beta cells Increased blood level of glucose, acetylcholine
(released by parasympathetic vagus nerve fibers),
arginine and leucine (two amino acids), glucagon,
GIP, hGH, and ACTH stimulate secretion; somatostatin
inhibits secretion
Lowers blood glucose level by accelerating transport
of glucose into cells, converting glucose into glycogen
(glycogenesis), and decreasing glycogenolysis and
gluconeogenesis; increases lipogenesis and stimulates
protein synthesis.

Somatostatin Delta cells Pancreatic polypeptide inhibits secretion. Inhibits secretion of insulin and glucagon; slows absorption
of nutrients from gastrointestinal tract.

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Pancreatic F cells Meals containing protein, fasting, exercise, Inhibits somatostatin secretion, gallbladder contraction, and
polypeptide and acute hypoglycemia stimulate secretion; secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes
somatostatin and elevated blood glucose level inhibit
secretion.

OVARIAN HORMONES

Estrogens Ovaries Together with gonadotropic hormones of anterior

progesterone pituitary, regulate female reproductive cycle,
progesterone maintain pregnancy, prepare mammary glands for lactation,
and promote development and maintenance of female
secondary sex characteristics

Relaxin (RLX) Increases flexibility of pubic symphysis during pregnancy;

helps dilate uterine cervix during labor and delivery.

Inhibin Inhibits secretion of FSH from anterior pituitary

TESTICULAR HORMONES

Testosterone Testis Stimulates descent of testes before birth; regulates sperm

production; promotes development and maintenance of male
secondary sex characteristics.

Inhibin Inhibits secretion of FSH from anterior pituitary

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Gastrin

Glucose-dependent Stimulates release of insulin by pancreatic beta

peptide (GIP) insulinotropic cells.

Secretin Stimulates secretion of pancreatic juice and bile.

Cholecystokinin Stimulates secretion of pancreatic juice; regulates release of

(CCK) bile from gallbladder; causes feeling of fullness after eating

PLACENTA
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Human chorionic Stimulates corpus luteum in ovary to continue production of
gonadotropin (hCG) estrogens and progesterone to maintain pregnancy.

Estrogens and Maintain pregnancy; help prepare mammary glands to secrete

progesterone milk.

Human chorionic Stimulates development of mammary glands

(hCS) somatomammotropin for lactation.

KIDNEYS

Renin Part of reaction sequence that raises blood pressure by

bringing about vasoconstriction and secretion of aldosterone.

Erythropoietin (EPO) Increases rate of red blood cell formation.

Calcitriol Aids in absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus

HEART

Atrial natriuretic Decreases blood pressure

peptide (ANP)

ADIPOSE TISSUE

Leptin Suppresses appetite; may increase FSH and LH

activity.

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