MAJOR HORMONES

HORMONE ACTION LOCATION OF ACTION SOURCE STIMULI EFFECTS

CORTISOL  GLUCOSE FORMATION ADIPOCYTES ADRENAL CORTEX OF Increased cortisol APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO
(GLUCOCORTICOIDS)  PROTEIN CATABOLISM  Lipolysis THE ADRENAL GLAND secretion STRESS
 Responds to STRESS  ZONA  LOW cortisol levels
 Regulates IMMUNE SYSTEM MUSCLES FASCICULATA CORTISOL EXCESS
 INHIBITS GROWTH  Protein catabolism  HYPERGLYCEMIA
 Has ANTI-INFLAMMATORY  MUSCLE WASTING
EFFECTS LIVER  CENTRAL OBESITY
 Gluconeogenesis  POOR WOUND HEALING
 HYPERTENSION
 OSTEOPOROSIS

CORTISOL DEFICIENCY
 HYPOGLYCEMIA

ALDOSTERONE  Extracellular water balance KIDNEY ADRENAL CORTEX OF Increased aldosterone INCREASED Na+
(MINERALOCORTICOIDS o Adjusts blood  Na+ reabsorption THE ADRENAL GLAND secretion DECREASED H+ and K+
) pressure and  water  ZONA  LOW blood volume
-under tonic control of volume reabsorption GLOMERULOSA (hence low blood ALDOSTERONE EXCESS
ACTH  Na+ and K+ homeostasis  H+ and K+ excretion pressure)  HYPERTENSION
-regulated separately by  Na+ deficiency  HYPOKALEMIA
RAAS and K+ levels  HIGH K+ levels  METABOLIC ALKALOSIS

TESTOSTERONE  Stimulates GH SECRETION at TESTES TESTIS Negative feedback on  Pubertal growth spurt
puberty  Reinforce  LEYDIG CELLS in anterior pituitary  Differentiation of
 Causes eventual EPIPHYSEAL spermatogenic males epididymis, vas deferens
CLOSURE effects of FSH in and seminal vesicles
 DEVELOPMENT OF MALE Sertoli cells THECA CELLS in  Growth of penis and
SECONDARY SEX females seminal vesicles
CHARACTERISTICS MUSCLES  Libido
 Stimulates PROTEIN  Protein synthesis  Deepening of voice
SYNTHESIS in males
 Stimulates DESCENT OF
TESTES BEFORE BIRTH
 Regulates SPERM
PRODUCTION

ESTROGEN  Stimulates GH SECRETION at OVARY OVARY Negative feedback on Growth of axillary and pubic
puberty  Follicular phase of anterior pituitary hair
 Causes eventual EPIPHYSEAL menstrual cycle
CLOSURE (by ESTRADIOL)
 GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT  Luteal phase of
 AND MAINTENANCE OF menstrual cycle
FEMALE SECONDARY SEX (by
CHARACTERISTICS PROGESTERONE)
 Regulate FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
 Maintain PREGNANCY
THYROID HORMONE  Increases BMR BONES THYROID GLAND Increased TH secretion HYPERTHYROIDISM
-permissive effects on  Accelerates BODY GROWTH  Skeletal growth  FOLLICULAR  LOW TH levels  INCREASED BMR
catecholamines  CALORIGENIC ACTION CELLS  LOW BMR  Weight LOSS
-permissive for GH o Stimulate PROTEIN MUSCLES  Conditions that  Negative nitrogen balance
secretion and action SYNTHESIS  Protein synthesis increase ATP  SWEATING
-permissive for CNS o Increase LIPOLYSIS DEMAND: cold  INCREASED cardiac output
development o Increase GLUCOSE ADIPOCYTES environment,  DYSPNEA
and FA utilisation  Lipolysis hypoglycaemia,  TREMORS, WEAKNESS
for ATP high altitude,  EXOPHTHALMUS
PRODUCTION CNS pregnancy  GOITER
 Enhances CHOLESTEROL  Maturation
EXCRETION HYPOTHYROIDISM
 DEVELOPMENT OF CNS  DECREASED BMR
 Weight GAIN
 Positive nitrogen balance
 COLD SENSITIVITY
 DECREASED cardiac output
 HYPOVENTILATION
 LETHARGY, MENTAL
SLOWNESS
 DROOPING EYELIDS
 MYXEDEMA
 MENTAL RETARDATION,
STUNTED BONE GROWTH
 GOITER

INSULIN  Increases GLUCOSE UPTAKE ADIPOCYTES PANCREAS Increased insulin DECREASED BLOOD GLUCOSE
into cells  Glucose uptake  BETA CELLS OF secretion (because glucose is no longer
 Increases GLYCOGEN and utilisation THE ISLETS OF  INCREASED blood in the blood but is inside the
SYNTHESIS  Triglyceride LANGERHANS glucose cell where it is utilised for ATP
 Decreases GLYCOGENOLYSIS synthesis  INCREASED amino production)
and GLUCONEOGENESIS acids, fatty acid
LIVER  GLUCAGON DECREASED FATTY ACID,
 Increases PROTEIN  Glucose uptake KETOACID, AMINO ACID
SYNTHESIS  Glycogen Insulin secretion
 Increases TRIGLYCERIDE synthesis inhibited HYPOKALEMIA (due to
SYNTHESIS and FAT  DECREASED blood potassium intake as an action
 DEPOSITION MUSCLE glucose of insulin)
 Decreases LIPOLYSIS  Glucose uptake  SOMATOSTATIN
 Increases POTASSIUM and utilisation
UPTAKE into cells  Glycogen
synthesis
 Stimulates FETAL GROWTH  Protein synthesis
 Stimulates POSTNATAL
GROWTH by stimulating
secretion of IGF-1

GLUCAGON  Increases GLYCOGENOLYSIS ADIPOCYTES PANCREAS Increased glucagon INCREASED BLOOD GLUCOSE
and GLUCONEOGENESIS  Lipolysis  ALPHA CELLS OF secretion INCREASED FATTY ACID,
 Increases LIPOLYSIS and THE ISLETS OF  DECREASED blood KETOACID
KETOACID PRODUCTION LIVER LANGERHANS glucose
 Glycogenolysis  INCREASED amino
 Gluconeogenesis acids

Glucagon secretion
inhibited
 INCREASED blood
glucose
 INCREASED amino
acids, ketoacids
 INSULIN
 SOMATOSTATIN

MAJOR HORMONES INFLUENCING GROWTH

HORMONE ACTION LOCATION OF ACTION SOURCE STIMULI EFFECTS
GROWTH HORMONE Direct actions ADIPOCYTES ANTERIOR PITUITARY Increased GH secretion OVERALL GROWTH
-major stimulus of  DECREASES GLUCOSE  Lipolysis  Sleep, stress,
postnatal growth UPTAKE into cells exercise GH EXCESS
-most important hormone (diabetogenic) LIVER  Hormones related to  Increased linear
for normal growth to  Increases LIPOLYSIS  IGF production puberty growth, periosteal
adult size  Increases PROTEIN  Starvation, bone growth,
SYNTHESIS CHONDROCYTES hypoglycaemia organ size
 Increases IGF PRODUCTION  Protein synthesis   GLUCOSE
increase in linear GH secretion inhibited INTOLERANCE
Actions of GH via IGF growth (pubertal  SOMATOSTATIN,
 Stimulates PROTEIN growth spurt) SOMATOMEDIN GH DEFICIENCY
SYNTHESIS  Obesity,  FAILURE TO
MUSCLES hyperglycemia GROW, SHORT
 Protein synthesis   Pregnancy STATURE
increase in lean body  MILD OBESITY
mass  DELAYED PUBERTY

OTHER ORGANS
 Protein synthesis 
increase in organ size

INSULIN  Increases GLUCOSE UPTAKE
into cells
 Increases GLYCOGEN
SYNTHESIS
 Decreases GLYCOGENOLYSIS
and GLUCONEOGENESIS
 Increases PROTEIN
SYNTHESIS
 Increases TRIGLYCERIDE
SYNTHESIS and FAT
DEPOSITION
 Decreases LIPOLYSIS
 Increases POTASSIUM
UPTAKE into cells
ADIPOCYTES PANCREAS Increased insulin DECREASED BLOOD
 Glucose uptake and  BETA CELLS OF THE secretion GLUCOSE (because
utilisation ISLETS OF  INCREASED blood glucose is no longer in
 Triglyceride synthesis LANGERHANS glucose the blood but is inside
 INCREASED amino the cell where it is
LIVER acids, fatty acid utilised for ATP
 Glucose uptake  GLUCAGON production)
 Glycogen synthesis
Insulin secretion DECREASED FATTY
MUSCLE inhibited ACID, KETOACID,
 Glucose uptake and  DECREASED blood AMINO ACID
utilisation glucose
 Glycogen synthesis  SOMATOSTATIN HYPOKALEMIA (due to
 Protein synthesis potassium intake as an
action of insulin)

 Stimulates FETAL GROWTH

 Stimulates POSTNATAL
GROWTH by stimulating
secretion of IGF-1

THYROID HORMONE  Increases BMR BONES THYROID GLAND Increased TH secretion HYPERTHYROIDISM
-permissive effects on  Accelerates BODY GROWTH  Skeletal growth  FOLLICULAR CELLS  LOW TH levels  INCREASED BMR
catecholamines  CALORIGENIC ACTION  LOW BMR  Weight LOSS
-permissive for GH o Stimulate PROTEIN MUSCLES  Conditions that  Negative nitrogen
secretion and action SYNTHESIS  Protein synthesis increase ATP balance
-permissive for CNS o Increase LIPOLYSIS DEMAND: cold  SWEATING
development o Increase GLUCOSE ADIPOCYTES environment,  INCREASED cardiac
and FA utilisation for  Lipolysis hypoglycaemia, high output
ATP PRODUCTION altitude, pregnancy  DYSPNEA
 Enhances CHOLESTEROL CNS  TREMORS,
EXCRETION  Maturation WEAKNESS
 DEVELOPMENT OF CNS  EXOPHTHALMUS
 GOITER

HYPOTHYROIDISM
 DECREASED BMR
 Weight GAIN
 Positive nitrogen
balance
 COLD SENSITIVITY
 DECREASED
cardiac output
 HYPOVENTILATION
 LETHARGY,
MENTAL
SLOWNESS
 DROOPING
EYELIDS
 MYXEDEMA
 MENTAL
RETARDATION,
STUNTED BONE
GROWTH
 GOITER

TESTOSTERONE  Stimulates GH SECRETION at TESTES TESTIS Negative feedback on  Pubertal growth

puberty  Reinforce  LEYDIG CELLS in anterior pituitary spurt
 Causes eventual EPIPHYSEAL spermatogenic effects males  Differentiation of
CLOSURE of FSH in Sertoli cells epididymis, vas
 DEVELOPMENT OF MALE THECA CELLS in females deferens and
SECONDARY SEX MUSCLES seminal vesicles
CHARACTERISTICS  Protein synthesis  Growth of penis
 Stimulates PROTEIN and seminal
SYNTHESIS in males vesicles
 Stimulates DESCENT OF  Libido
 TESTES BEFORE BIRTH  Deepening of voice
 Regulates SPERM
PRODUCTION

ESTROGEN  Stimulates GH SECRETION at
puberty
 Causes eventual EPIPHYSEAL
CLOSURE
 GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT
AND MAINTENANCE OF
FEMALE SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS
 Regulate FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
 Maintain PREGNANCY
OVARY OVARY Negative feedback on Growth of axillary and
 Follicular phase of anterior pituitary pubic hair
menstrual cycle (by
ESTRADIOL)
 Luteal phase of
menstrual cycle (by
PROGESTERONE)

CORTISOL  GLUCOSE FORMATION ADIPOCYTES ADRENAL CORTEX OF Increased cortisol APPROPRIATE

 PROTEIN CATABOLISM  Lipolysis THE ADRENAL GLAND secretion RESPONSE TO STRESS
 Responds to STRESS  ZONA  LOW cortisol levels
 Regulates IMMUNE SYSTEM MUSCLES FASCICULATA CORTISOL EXCESS
 INHIBITS GROWTH  Protein catabolism  HYPERGLYCEMIA
 Has ANTI-INFLAMMATORY  MUSCLE WASTING
EFFECTS LIVER  CENTRAL OBESITY
 Gluconeogenesis  POOR WOUND
HEALING
 HYPERTENSION
 OSTEOPOROSIS

CORTISOL DEFICIENCY
 HYPOGLYCEMIA

MAJOR HORMONES CONTROLLING CALCIUM AND PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS

HORMONE ACTION LOCATION OF ACTION SOURCE STIMULI
PARATHYROID HORMONE INCREASES CALCIUM BONE PARATHYROID GLAND  LOW calcium levels 
-major regulator of calcium,
magnesium and phosphate
levels in the blood
-essential for extracellular
calcium homeostasis
CALCITONIN
-more important as a tumor
marker
VITAMIN D
-more effective in maintaining
steady-state calcium levels
-active form: 1,25-
dihydroxycholecalciferol or
calcitriol
HORMONES OF THE POSTERIOR LOBE OF THE PITUITARY
HORMONE ACTION
DECREASES PHOSPHATE  Bone resorption, by  CHIEF CELLS or INCREASE PTH
stimulating osteoclasts to PRINCIPAL CELLS SECRETION
release calcium and
phosphate  HIGH calcium levels 
SECRETION INHIBITED
KIDNEY
 Calcium and magnesium
reabsorption
 Phosphate excretion
 Calcitriol formation
DECREASES CALCIUM BONE THYROID GLAND  HIGH calcium levels 
DECREASES PHOSPHATE  Inhibits osteoclasts  PARAFOLLICULAR INCREASE CALCITIONIN
 Increases uptake of calcium CELLS SECRETION
and phosphate into osteoid
 LOW calcium levels 
KIDNEY SECRETION INHIBITED
 Increases calcium and
phosphate excretion
INCREASES CALCIUM BONE KIDNEY Increased action of vitamin D
INCREASES PHOSPHATE  Stimulates calcium and  LOW calcium levels
phosphate release (with  LOW phosphate levels
help of PTH)  High PTH levels
KIDNEY
 Decreases calcium and
phosphate excretion
INTESTINE
 Stimulates calcium,
phosphate and magnesium
absorption
LOCATION OF ACTION SOURCE STIMULI EFFECTS
ANTIDIURETIC  Regulates SERUM KIDNEY HYPOTHALAMUS Increased ADH secretion Excess ADH
HORMONE or OSMOLARITY  Increases water permeability of  SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEI  HIGH serum  Hypervolemia
VASOPRESSIN the LATE DISTAL TUBULES and osmolarity  Low sodium
COLLECTING DUCTS *ONLY STORED BY THE  VOLUME concentration
POSTERIOR PITUITARY CONTRACTION
GLAND, NOT PRODUCED  PAIN ADH deficiency
 NAUSEA  Frequent
 HYPOGLYCEMIA urination
 Hypovolemia
ADH secretion inhibited  Hypotension
 LOW serum  Dehydration
osmolarity

OXYTOCIN  Ejection of milk BREAST HYPOTHALAMUS Increased oxytocin

from the breast  Contraction of myoepithelial  PARAVENTRICULAR secretion
 Uterine cells  MILK EJECTION NUCLEI  SUCKLING (of infant)
contraction  Sight/sound of
UTERUS *ONLY STORED BY THE infant
 Contraction during parturition POSTERIOR PITUITARY  CERVICAL DILATION
GLAND, NOT PRODUCED (during pregnancy)

HORMONES OF MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTION

 HORMONE ACTION
FOLLICLE-  Maintain
STIMULATING SPERMATOGENESIS
HORMONE  Also secretes INHIBIN
(FSH)
LUTEINIZING  TESTOSTERONE
HORMONE (LH) SYNTHESIS
TESTOSTERONE  Stimulates GH SECRETION
at puberty
 Causes eventual
EPIPHYSEAL CLOSURE
 DEVELOPMENT OF MALE
SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS
 Stimulates PROTEIN
SYNTHESIS in males
ESTROGEN  Stimulates GH SECRETION
(ESTRADIOL) at puberty
 Causes eventual
EPIPHYSEAL CLOSURE
 DEVELOPMENT OF
FEMALE SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS
 Maintains PREGNANCY
 Lower UTERINE
THRESHOLD TO
LOCATION OF ACTION SOURCE STIMULI EFFECTS
SERTOLI CELLS ANTERIOR Increased FSH secretion
 Spermatogenesis PITUITARY 
OVARIES FSH secretion inhibited
  INHIBIN (negative
feedback)
LEYDIG CELLS ANTERIOR Increased LH secretion  Ovulation (due to LH
 Testosterone synthesis PITUITARY  BURST OF ESTRADIOL surge)
SYNTHESIS at the end
OVARIES of the follicular phase
 Luteinization of the menstrual cycle
LH secretion inhibited
 TESTOSTERONE,
ESTROGEN,
PROGESTERONE
(negative feedback)
TESTES LEYDIG CELLS in Testosterone secretion  Pubertal growth spurt
 Reinforce spermatogenic males inhibited  Differentiation of
effects of FSH in Sertoli  TESTOSTERONE epididymis, vas
cells THECA CELLS in (negative feedback) deferens and seminal
females vesicles
MUSCLES  Growth of penis and
 Protein synthesis seminal vesicles
 Libido
 Deepening of voice
OVARY Converted from Increased estrogen  Maturation and
 Follicular phase of TESTOSTERONE secretion maintenance of the
menstrual cycle  ESTROGE fallopian tubes,
CORPUS uterus, cervix and
UTERUS LUTEUM, Estrogen secretion vagina
 Proliferation of uterine PLACENTA, inhibited  Development of
lining during follicular FETAL ADRENAL  ESTROGEN (negative breasts
phase of menstrual cycle GLAND feedback)  FSH and  Up-regulates
LH suppressed estrogen, LH and
progesterone
 CONTRACTILE STIMULI receptors
DURING PREGNANCY  Proliferation and
development of
ovarian granulosa
cells

PROGESTERONE  Maintains PREGNANCY OVARY CORPUS Progesterone secretion  Development of

 Raises UTERINE  Luteal phase of LUTEUM, inhibited breasts
THRESHOLD TO menstrual cycle PLACENTA  PROGESTERONE
CONTRACTILE STIMULI (negative feedback)
DURING PREGNANCY HYPOTHALAMUS
 Act on thermoregulatory
center  increases basal
body temperature
during the luteal phase
of menstrual cycle