HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Name of the Hormone Released Function
gland
Hypothalamus Releasing hormones stimulate secretion of pituitary
Eg Gonadotrophin releasing hormone hormones
(GnRH)
Inhibiting hormones inhibit secretions of pituitary
Eg somatostatin hormones
Pituitary Gland ANTERIOR PITUITARY, produces GH- Stimulates growth
growth hormone (GH), Over-secretion of GH stimulates
abnormal growth of the body
leading to gigantism and low
prolactin (PRL), secretion of GH results in stunted
growth resulting in pituitary
dwarfism.
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Prolactin regulates the growth of
the mammary
adrenocorticotrophic hormone glands and formation of milk in
(ACTH), them.
TSH stimulates the synthesis and
luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion of thyroid hormones
and follicle stimulating hormone from the thyroid gland.
(FSH). ACTH stimulates
the synthesis and secretion of
POSTERIOR PITUITARY, steroid hormones called
stores and releases two hormones glucocorticoids
called from the adrenal cortex.
oxytocin and vasopressin, LH and FSH stimulate gonadal
activity and hence
are called gonadotrophins.
Oxytocin acts on the smooth
muscles of our body and
stimulates their contraction. In
females, it stimulates a vigorous
contraction of uterus at the time
of child birth, and milk ejection
from the mammary gland.
Vasopressin acts mainly at the
kidney and stimulates resorption
of water and electrolytes by the
distal tubules
and thereby reduces loss of water
through urine (diuresis). Hence, it
is also called as anti-diuretic
hormone (ADH).
Thyroid Gland Tetraiodothyronine or Thyroxine (T4) Deficiency of iodine in our diet
and Triiodothyronine (T3). results in
hypothyroidism and
enlargement of the thyroid gland,
commonly called goitre.
Abnormal high levels of
hormones of the thyroid gland
leads to a condition called
hyperthyroidism which
adversely affects the body
physiology.
Thyroid hormones control the
metabolism of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats.
Thyroid gland also secretes a
protein
hormone called thyrocalcitonin
(TCT) which regulates the blood
calcium
levels.
Parathyroid Gland The parathyroid glands secrete a Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
peptide hormone called increases the Ca2+ levels in the
Parathyroid hormone (PTH). blood. PTH
acts on bones and stimulates the
process of bone resorption
(dissolution/
demineralisation). PTH also
stimulates reabsorption of Ca2+
by the renal
tubules and increases Ca2+
absorption from the digested
food.
Pineal Gland Pineal secretes a hormone called Melatonin plays a very important
Melatonin. role in the regulation
of a 24-hour (diurnal) rhythm of
our body. For
example, it helps in maintaining
the normal rhythms
of sleep-wake cycle, body
temperature. In addition,
melatonin also influences
metabolism, pigmentation, the
menstrual cycle as well as our
defence capability
Thymus gland This gland secretes the peptide Thymosins play a major role in
hormones called Thymosins the
differentiation of T-lymphocytes,
which provide cell-mediated
immunity. In addition, thymosins
also promote production of
antibodies
to provide humoral immunity.
Adrenal Gland The gland is composed of two types Adrenaline and noradrenaline are
of tissues. rapidly secreted in response to
The centrally located tissue is called stress of any kind and during
the adrenal medulla, and outside this emergency
lies the adrenal cortex situations and are called
The adrenal medulla secretes two emergency hormones or
hormones called adrenaline or hormones of Fight
epinephrine and noradrenaline or or Flight. These hormones
norepinephrine. increase alertness, pupilary
dilation,
The adrenal cortex secretes many piloerection (raising of hairs),
hormones, commonly called as sweating etc. Both the hormones
corticoids. increase the heart beat, the
Glucocorticoids and strength of heart contraction and
Mineralocorticoids the rate of respiration.
Glucocorticoids stimulate
gluconeogenesis, lipolysis and
proteolysis;
and inhibit cellular uptake and
utilisation of amino acids.
Aldosterone is the main
mineralocorticoid in our body.
aldosterone helps in the
maintenance of electrolytes, body
fluid volume, osmotic pressure
and blood pressure.
Pancreas The two main types of cells in the Glucagon is a peptide hormone,
Islet of Langerhans in the Pancreas and plays an important role in
are called maintaining the normal blood
α-cells and β-cells. glucose levels. Glucagon acts
The α-cells secrete a hormone called mainly on
glucagon, the liver cells (hepatocytes) and
While the β-cells secrete insulin. stimulates glycogenolysis
resulting in an increased blood
sugar (hyperglycemia). In
addition, this hormone stimulates
the process of gluconeogenesis
Prolonged hyperglycemia leads
to a complex disorder called
diabetes
mellitus
Insulin is a peptide hormone,
which plays a major role in the
regulation of glucose
homeostasis. Insulin acts mainly
on hepatocytes
and adipocytes (cells of adipose
tissue), and enhances cellular
glucose
uptake and utilisation. As a
result, there is a rapid movement
of glucose
from blood to hepatocytes and
adipocytes resulting in decreased
blood glucose levels
(hypoglycemia).
Ovary (Females) ovary also produces two groups of Estrogens produce wide ranging
steroid hormones called estrogen and actions such as stimulation of
progesterone growth
and activities of female
secondary sex organs,
development of growing
ovarian follicles, appearance of
female secondary sex characters
(e.g., high
pitch of voice, etc.), mammary
gland development
Progesterone supports pregnancy.
Progesterone also acts on the
mammary glands and stimulates
the formation of alveoli (sac-like
structures which store milk) and
milk secretion
Testis (Males) The Leydig cells or interstitial cells, Androgens regulate the
which are present in the intertubular development, maturation and
spaces produce a group of hormones functions of
called androgens mainly testosterone the male accessory sex organs
like epididymis, vas deferens,
seminal
vesicles, prostate gland, urethra
etc. These hormones stimulate
muscular
growth, growth of facial and
axillary hair, aggressiveness, low
pitch of
voice etc. Androgens play a
major stimulatory role in the
process of
spermatogenesis (formation of
spermatozoa)
