width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=6% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | Produced by ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone | TRH | Stimulate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release from anterior pituitary (primarily) | ||||
Dopamine (Prolactin-inhibiting hormone) | DA or PIH | |||||
Growth hormone-releasing hormone | GHRH | Stimulate Growth hormone (GH) release from anterior pituitary | ||||
Somatostatin (growth hormone-inhibiting hormone) | SS, GHIH, or SRIF | Inhibit Growth hormone release from anterior pituitary Inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release from anterior pituitary | ||||
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone | GnRH or LHRH | Stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release from anterior pituitary Stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) release from anterior pituitary | ||||
Corticotropin-releasing hormone | CRH or CRF | Stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release from anterior pituitary | ||||
Oxytocin | OX or OXT | Magnocellular neurosecretory cells | In females: uterine contraction during birthing, lactation (letdown reflex) when nursing | |||
Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) | ADH or AVP or VP | Increases water permeability in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of nephrons, thus promoting water reabsorption and increasing blood volume |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pinealocytes | Antioxidant Monitors the circadian rhythm including induction of drowsiness and lowering of the core body temperature | |||
The pituitary gland (or hypophysis) is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5g in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural fold (diaphragma sellae). The pituitary is functionally connected to the hypothalamus by the median eminence via a small tube called the infundibular stem or pituitary stalk.[1] The anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) is connected to the hypothalamus via the hypothalamo–hypophyseal portal vessels, which allows for quicker and more efficient communication between the hypothalamus and the pituitary.[2]
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Growth hormone (somatotropin) | GH | Somatotrophs | Stimulates growth and cell reproduction Stimulates Insulin-like growth factor 1 release from liver | |||
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin) | TSH | Stimulates thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) synthesis and release from thyroid gland Stimulates iodine absorption by thyroid gland | ||||
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin) | ACTH | Stimulates corticosteroid (glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid) and androgen synthesis and release from adrenocortical cells | ||||
Beta-endorphin | – | Inhibits perception of pain | ||||
Follicle-stimulating hormone | FSH | Gonadotrophs | In females: Stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles in ovary In males: Stimulates maturation of seminiferous tubules In males: Stimulates spermatogenesis In males: Stimulates production of androgen-binding protein from Sertoli cells of the testes | |||
Luteinizing hormone | LH | Gonadotrophs | In females: Stimulates ovulation In females: Stimulates formation of corpus luteum In males: Stimulates testosterone synthesis from Leydig cells (interstitial cells) | |||
Prolactin | PRL | Lactotrophs | Stimulates milk synthesis and release from mammary glands Mediates sexual gratification | |||
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone | MSH | Melanotropes in the Pars intermedia of the Anterior Pituitary | Stimulates melanin synthesis and release from skin/hair melanocytes |
width=25% | Stored hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oxytocin | OX or OXT | Magnocellular neurosecretory cells | In females: uterine contraction during birthing, lactation (letdown reflex) when nursing | |||
Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) | ADH or AVP | Increases water permeability in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of nephrons, thus promoting water reabsorption and increasing blood volume |
Oxytocin and anti-diuretic hormone are not secreted in the posterior lobe, merely stored.
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width9% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Triiodothyronine | T3 | (More potent form of thyroid hormone) Stimulates body oxygen and energy consumption, thereby increasing the basal metabolic rate Stimulates RNA polymerase I and II, thereby promoting protein synthesis | ||||
Thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine) | T4 | Thyroid epithelial cell's | (Less active form of thyroid hormone) (Acts as a prohormone to triiodothyronine) Stimulates body oxygen and energy consumption, thereby increasing the basal metabolic rate Stimulates RNA polymerase I and II, thereby promoting protein synthesis | |||
Calcitonin | Parafollicular cell's | Stimulates osteoblasts and thus bone construction Inhibits Ca2+ release from bone, thereby reducing blood Ca2+ |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gastrin (Primarily) | G cells | Secretion of gastric acid by parietal cells | ||||
Ghrelin | P/D1 cells | Stimulate appetite. | ||||
Neuropeptide Y | NPY | Increased food intake and decreased physical activity. It can be associated with obesity. | ||||
Somatostatin | D cells | Suppress release of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), enteroglucagonLowers rate of gastric emptying Reduces smooth muscle contractions and blood flow within the intestine.[3] | ||||
Histamine | ECL cells | stimulate gastric acid secretion | ||||
Endothelin | X cells | Smooth muscle contraction of stomach[4] |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Secretin | S cells | Secretion of bicarbonate from liver, pancreas and duodenal Brunner's glandsEnhances effects of cholecystokinin,stops production of gastric juice | ||
Cholecystokinin | I cells | Release of digestive enzymes from pancreasRelease of bile from gallbladder,hunger suppressant |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Insulin-like growth factor (or somatomedin) (Primarily) | IGF | Hepatocytes | insulin-like effectsregulate cell growth and development | |||
Angiotensinogen and angiotensin | Hepatocytes | vasoconstrictionrelease of aldosterone from adrenal cortexdipsogen. | ||||
Thrombopoietin | THPO | Hepatocytes | stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets | |||
Hepcidin | Hepatocytes | inhibits intestinal iron absorption and iron release by macrophages |
The pancreas is a heterocrine gland as it functions both as an endocrine and as an exocrine gland.[5]
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Insulin (Primarily) | Intake of glucose, glycogenesis and glycolysis in liver and muscle from blood.Intake of lipids and synthesis of triglycerides in adipocytes.Other anabolic effects | |||
Glucagon (Also Primarily) | Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in liver.Increases blood glucose level. | |||
Somatostatin | Inhibit release of insulin[6] Inhibit release of glucagonSuppress the exocrine secretory action of pancreas. | |||
Pancreatic polypeptide | PP cells | Self regulate the pancreas secretion activities and effect the hepatic glycogen levels. |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Renin (Primarily) | Juxtaglomerular cells | Activates the renin–angiotensin system by producing angiotensin I of angiotensinogen | ||
Erythropoietin (EPO) | Extraglomerular mesangial cells | Stimulate erythrocyte production | ||
Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) | Proximal tubule cells | Active form of vitamin D3Increase absorption of calcium and phosphate from gastrointestinal tract and kidneysinhibit release of PTH | ||
Thrombopoietin | stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets[7] |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glucocorticoids (chiefly cortisol) | zona fasciculata and zona reticularis cells | Stimulates gluconeogenesis Stimulates fat breakdown in adipose tissue Inhibits protein synthesis Inhibits glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue Inhibits immunological responses (immunosuppressive) Inhibits inflammatory responses (anti-inflammatory) | ||
Mineralocorticoids (chiefly aldosterone) | Zona glomerulosa cells | Stimulates active sodium reabsorption in kidneys Stimulates passive water reabsorption in kidneys, thus increasing blood volume and blood pressure Stimulates potassium and H+ secretion into nephron of kidney and subsequent excretion | ||
Androgens (including DHEA and testosterone) | Zona fasciculata and Zona reticularis cells | In males: Relatively small effect compared to androgens from testes In females: masculinizing effects |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adrenaline (epinephrine) (Primarily) | Chromaffin cells | Fight-or-flight response | ||
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) | Chromaffin cells | Fight-or-flight response
| ||
Dopamine | Chromaffin cells | Increase heart rate and blood pressure | ||
Enkephalin | Chromaffin cells | Regulate pain |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Androgens (chiefly testosterone) | Leydig cells | Anabolic growth of muscle mass and strength, increased bone density, growth and strength, Virilizing maturation of sex organs, formation of scrotum, deepening of voice, growth of beard and axillary hair. | ||
Estradiol | Sertoli cells | Prevent apoptosis of germ cells[8] | ||
Inhibin | Sertoli cells | Inhibit production of FSH |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Progesterone | Support pregnancy:[9]
Other:
| |||
Androstenedione | Substrate for estrogen | |||
Estrogens (mainly estradiol) | Structural:
Protein synthesis:
Fluid balance: Gastrointestinal tract:
Melanin:
Cancer:
Lung function: | |||
Inhibin | Inhibit production of FSH from anterior pituitary |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Progesterone (Primarily) | Support pregnancy:
Other effects on mother similar to ovarian follicle-progesterone | |||||
Estrogens (mainly Estriol) (Also Primarily) | Effects on mother similar to ovarian follicle estrogen | |||||
Human chorionic gonadotropin | HCG | Promote maintenance of corpus luteum during beginning of pregnancyInhibit immune response, towards the human embryo. | ||||
Human placental lactogen | HPL | Increase production of insulin and IGF-1Increase insulin resistance and carbohydrate intolerance | ||||
Inhibin | Fetal Trophoblasts | Suppress FSH |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prolactin | PRL | milk production in mammary glands | ||||
Relaxin | Unclear in humans and animals |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parathyroid hormone | PTH | Calcium
|
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) | Keratinocytes | Cholecalciferol is an inactive form of vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol is converted in the liver first to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (calcifediol) then to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol), which is the hormonally active metabolite of vitamin D. Calcitriol increases the level of calcium in the blood by increasing the uptake of calcium from the gut into the blood, increasing reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys, and possibly increasing the release of calcium into the blood from bone. |
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=8% | Abbreviation ! | width=17% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atrial natriuretic peptide | ANP | Reduce blood pressure by:reducing systemic vascular resistance,reducing blood water, sodium and fats | ||||
Brain natriuretic peptide | BNP | (To a lesser degree than ANP) reduce blood pressure by:reducing systemic vascular resistance,reducing blood water, sodium and fats | ||||
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Osteocalcin | osteoblasts | stimulates beta cells to produce insulin |
In 1998, skeletal muscle was identified as an endocrine organ[14] due to its now well-established role in the secretion of myokines.[14] [15] The use of the term myokine to describe cytokines and other peptides produced by muscle as signalling molecules was proposed in 2003.[16]
Signalling molecules released by adipose tissue are referred to as adipokines.
width=25% | Secreted hormone ! | width=25% | From cells ! | Effect |
---|---|---|---|---|
Leptin (Primarily) | Adipocytes | decrease of appetite and increase of metabolism. | ||
Adiponectin | Reduces insulin resistance[17] | |||
Estrogens[18] (mainly Estrone) | Adipocytes |