Hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Hypothalamus
Secreted hormone Abbreviation Produced by Effect Thyrotropin-releasing hormone TRH Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons Stimulate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release from anterior pituitary (primarily) Dopamine (Prolactin-inhibiting hormone) DA or PIH Dopamine neurons of the arcuate nucleus plays important roles in executive functions, motor control, motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and reward, as well as lower-level functions including lactation, sexual gratification, and nausea. Growth hormone-releasing hormone GHRH Neuroendocrine neurons of the Arcuate nucleus Stimulate Growth hormone (GH) release from anterior pituitary Somatostatin (growth hormone-inhibiting hormone) SS, GHIH, or SRIF Neuroendocrine cells of the Periventricular nucleus Inhibit Growth hormone release from anterior pituitary Inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release from anterior pituitary Gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH or LHRH Neuroendocrine cells of the Preoptic area Stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release from anterior pituitary Stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) release from anterior pituitary Corticotropin-releasing hormone CRH or CRF Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons of the Paraventricular nucleus Stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release from anterior pituitary Oxytocin OX or OXT Magnocellular neurosecretory cells plays roles in behavior that include social bonding, love, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth. Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) ADH or AVP or VP Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons, Magnocellular neurosecretory neurons of the Paraventricular nucleus and Supraoptic nucleus Increases water permeability in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of nephrons, thus promoting water reabsorption and increasing blood volume
Pineal body (epiphysis) Secreted hormone From cells Effect Melatonin Pinealocytes Antioxidant Monitors the circadian rhythm including induction of drowsiness and lowering of the core body temperature
Pituitary gland (hypophysis) The pituitary gland (or hypophysis) is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 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. 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.
Anterior pituitary lobe (adenohypophysis) Secreted hormone Abbreviation 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 Thyrotropes Stimulates thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) synthesis and release from thyroid gland Stimulates iodine absorption by thyroid gland Adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin) ACTH Corticotrophs Stimulates corticosteroid (glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid) and androgen synthesis and release from adrenocortical cells Beta-endorphin – Corticotrophs 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
Posterior pituitary lobe (neurohypophysis) Stored hormone Abbreviation 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 Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons 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.
Thyroid Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells EffectTriiodothyronine T3 Thyroid epithelial cell (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+
Digestive system
Stomach Secreted hormone Abbreviation 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), enteroglucagon Lowers rate of gastric emptying
Reduces smooth muscle contractions and blood flow within the intestine.Colorado State University – Biomedical Hypertextbooks – Somatostatin Histamine ECL cells stimulate gastric acid secretion Endothelin X cells Smooth muscle contraction of stomach
Duodenum (small intestine) Secreted hormone From cells Effect SecretinS cells Secretion of bicarbonate from liver, pancreas and duodenal Brunner's glands Enhances effects of cholecystokinin, stops production of gastric juice CholecystokininI cells Release of digestive enzymes from pancreas Release of bile from gallbladder, hunger suppressant
Liver Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells Effect Insulin-like growth factor (or somatomedin) (Primarily) IGF Hepatocytes insulin-like effects regulate cell growth and development Angiotensinogen and angiotensin Hepatocytes vasoconstriction release of aldosterone from adrenal cortex dipsogen. Thrombopoietin THPO Hepatocytes stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets Hepcidin Hepatocytes inhibits intestinal iron absorption and iron release by macrophages
Pancreas The pancreas is a heterocrine gland as it functions both as an endocrine and as an exocrine gland. Secreted hormone From cells Effect Insulin (Primarily) β Islet cells 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) α Islet cells Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in liver. Increases blood glucose level. Somatostatinδ Islet cells Inhibit release of insulin Inhibit release of glucagon Suppress the exocrine secretory action of pancreas. Pancreatic polypeptide PP cells Self regulate the pancreas secretion activities and effect the hepatic glycogen levels.
Kidney Secreted hormone 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 D3 Increase absorption of calcium and phosphate from gastrointestinal tract and kidneys inhibit release of PTH Thrombopoietin stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets
Adrenal glands
Adrenal cortex Secreted hormone 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
Adrenal medulla Secreted hormone From cells Effect Adrenaline (epinephrine) (Primarily) Chromaffin cells Fight-or-flight response: Boost the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles (by increasing heart rate and stroke volume, vasodilation, increasing catalysis of glycogen in liver, breakdown of lipids in fat cells) Dilate the pupils Suppress non-emergency bodily processes (e.g., digestion) Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) Chromaffin cells Fight-or-flight response: Boost the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles (by increasing heart rate and stroke volume, vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure, breakdown of lipids in fat cells) Increase skeletal muscle readiness. Dopamine Chromaffin cells Increase heart rate and blood pressure Enkephalin Chromaffin cells Regulate pain
Reproductive
Testes Secreted hormone 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 Inhibin Sertoli cells Inhibit production of FSH
Ovarian follicle and corpus luteum Secreted hormone From cells Effect Progesterone Granulosa cells, theca cells Support pregnancy:Bowen, R. (August 6, 2000) Placental Hormones. Colorado State University Convert endometrium to secretory stage Make cervical mucus thick and impenetrable to sperm. Inhibit immune response, e.g., towards the human embryo Decrease uterine smooth muscle contractility Inhibit lactation Inhibit onset of labor.
Other: Raise epidermal growth factor-1 levels Increase core temperature during ovulation Reduce spasm and relax smooth muscle (widen bronchi and regulate mucus) Anti-inflammatory Reduce gall-bladder activity Normalize blood clotting and vascular tone, zinc and copper levels, cell oxygen levels, and use of fat stores for energy Assist in thyroid function and bone growth by osteoblasts Increase resilience in bone, teeth, gums, joint, tendon, ligament, and skin Promote healing by regulating collagen Provide nerve function and healing by regulating myelin Prevent endometrial cancer by regulating effects of estrogen Androstenedione Theca cells Substrate for estrogen Estrogens (mainly estradiol) Granulosa cells Structural: Promote formation of female secondary sex characteristics Accelerate height growth Accelerate metabolism (burn fat) Reduce muscle mass Stimulate endometrial growth Increase uterine growth Maintain blood vessels and skin Reduce bone resorption, increase bone formation Protein synthesis: Increase hepatic production of binding proteins Coagulation: