Hormones and the Endocrine System
The endocrine system uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's internal metabolism (or homeostasis) energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and environmental factors. Consider the following hormones and their role in the workings of the endocrine system:
Where the hormone is produced | Hormone(s) secreted | Hormone function |
|---|---|---|
Adrenal glands | Aldosterone | Regulates salt, water balance, and blood pressure |
Adrenal glands | Corticosteroid | Controls key functions in the body; acts as an anti-inflammatory; maintains blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength; regulates salt and water balance |
Pituitary gland | Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) | Affects water retention in kidneys; controls blood pressure |
Pituitary gland | Adrenocorticotropin | Controls production and secretion of adrenal cortex hormones (cortisol and aldosterone) |
Pituitary gland | Growth hormone (GH) | Affects growth and development; stimulates protein production; affects fat distribution |
Pituitary gland | Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics |
Pituitary gland | Oxytocin | Stimulates contraction of uterus and milk ducts in the breast |
Pituitary gland | Prolactin | Initiates and maintains milk production in breasts; impacts sex hormone levels |
Pituitary gland | Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | Stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones |
Kidneys | Renin and angiotensin | Controls blood pressure |
Kidneys | Erythropoietin | Affects red blood cell (RBC) production |
Pancreas | Glucagon | Raises blood sugar levels |
Pancreas | Insulin | Lowers blood sugar levels; stimulates metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat |
Ovaries | Estrogen | Affects development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive development |
Ovaries | Progesterone | Stimulates the lining of the uterus for fertilization; prepares the breasts for milk production |
Parathyroid glands | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Affects bone formation and excretion of calcium and phosphorus |
Thyroid gland | Thyroid hormone | Affects growth, maturation, nervous system activity, and metabolism |
Adrenal glands | Epinephrine | Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow |
Adrenal glands | Norepinephrine | Maintains normal body activities |
Testes (testicles) | Testosterone | Develop and maintain male sexual characteristics and maturation |
Pineal gland | Melatonin | May play a role in gonadotropin (sex hormones) regulation |
Hypothalamus | Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) | Regulates growth hormone release in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) | Regulates thyroid stimulating hormone release in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) | Regulates LH/FSH production in the pituitary gland |
Hypothalamus | Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) | Regulates adrenocorticotropin release in the pituitary gland |
Thymus | Humoral factors | Helps develop the lymphoid system |