List of human endocrine organs and actions

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Endocrine glands in the human head and neck and their hormones

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 Inhibit prolactin released from anterior pituitary
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 In females:
lactation (letdown reflex)
when nursing
Vasopressin
(antidiuretic hormone)
ADH or AVP or VP Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons,
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
core body temperature

Pituitary gland (hypophysis)

The pituitary gland (or hypophysis) is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 grams (0.018 oz) 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]

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
thyroid gland

Stimulates iodine absorption by thyroid gland
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
(corticotropin)
ACTH
Corticotrophs
Stimulates
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
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:
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 Effect
Triiodothyronine T3
Thyroid epithelial cell
(More potent form of
protein synthesis
Thyroxine

(tetraiodothyronine)
T4
Thyroid epithelial cell
's
(Less active form of
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
gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), enteroglucagon

Lowers 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]

Duodenum (small intestine)

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Secretin S cells Secretion of
Brunner's glands

Enhances effects of cholecystokinin, stops production of gastric juice

Cholecystokinin I 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[5]
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.[6]

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Insulin (Primarily) β Islet cells Intake of glucose, glycogenesis and glycolysis in liver and muscle from blood.

Intake of

adipocytes
. Other anabolic effects

Glucagon (Also Primarily) α Islet cells Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in liver.

Increases blood glucose level.

Somatostatin δ Islet cells Inhibit release of insulin[7]

Inhibit release of glucagon[7] 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
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

gastrointestinal tract and kidneys
inhibit release of PTH

Thrombopoietin stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets[5]

Adrenal glands

Adrenal cortex

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Glucocorticoids (chiefly cortisol) zona fasciculata and zona reticularis cells Stimulates
immunosuppressive)
Inhibits inflammatory responses (anti-inflammatory
)
Mineralocorticoids (chiefly aldosterone) Zona glomerulosa cells Stimulates active
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:
Noradrenaline
(norepinephrine)
Chromaffin cells Fight-or-flight response:
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
muscle mass and strength, increased bone density
, growth and strength,

axillary hair
.

Estradiol Sertoli cells Prevent apoptosis of germ cells[8]
Inhibin
Sertoli cells Inhibit production of
FSH

Ovarian follicle and corpus luteum

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Progesterone
Granulosa cells, theca cells
Support pregnancy:[9]
  • Convert
    endometrium
    to secretory stage
  • Make cervical mucus thick and impenetrable to sperm.
  • Inhibit
    human embryo
  • Decrease uterine smooth muscle contractility[9]
  • Inhibit lactation
  • Inhibit onset of
    labor
    .

Other:

  • Raise
    epidermal growth factor-1
    levels
  • Increase core temperature during ovulation[10]
  • Reduce
    bronchi and regulate mucus
    )

Anti-inflammatory

Androstenedione Theca cells Substrate for estrogen
Estrogens (mainly estradiol
)
Granulosa cells
Structural:

Protein synthesis:

  • Increase hepatic production of binding proteins

Coagulation:

Fluid balance:

Gastrointestinal tract:

  • Reduce bowel motility
  • Increase cholesterol in bile

Melanin:

  • Increase
    eumelanin

Cancer:

Lung function:

Inhibin
Granulosa cells
Inhibit production of

pregnant
)

Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells Effect
Progesterone (Primarily) Support pregnancy:[9]

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 Syncytiotrophoblast Promote maintenance of corpus luteum during beginning of pregnancy

Inhibit

human embryo
.

Human placental lactogen HPL Syncytiotrophoblast Increase production of
IGF-1

Increase insulin resistance and carbohydrate intolerance

Inhibin
Fetal Trophoblasts Suppress
FSH

pregnant
)

Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells Effect
Prolactin PRL Decidual cells milk production in
mammary glands
Relaxin Decidual cells Unclear in humans and animals

Calcium regulation

Parathyroid

Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells Effect
Parathyroid hormone PTH Parathyroid chief cell Calcium:
  • Stimulates Ca2+ release from bone, thereby increasing blood Ca2+
  • Stimulates osteoclasts, thus breaking down bone
  • Stimulates Ca2+ reabsorption in kidney
  • Stimulates activated vitamin D production in kidney


Phosphate:

  • Stimulates PO3−4 release from bones, thereby increasing blood PO3−4.
  • Inhibits PO3−4 reabsorption in kidney, so more PO3−4 is excreted
  • Overall, small net drop in serum PO3−4.

Skin

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) Keratinocytes
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 (Ca2+
) 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.

Other

Heart

Secreted hormone Abbreviation From cells Effect
Atrial natriuretic peptide ANP Cardiac myocytes Reduce blood pressure by:

reducing

, reducing blood water, sodium and
fats

Brain natriuretic peptide
BNP Cardiac myocytes (To a lesser degree than ANP) reduce blood pressure by:

reducing

, reducing blood water, sodium and
fats

Bone

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Osteocalcin osteoblasts stimulates
beta cells to produce insulin

Skeletal muscle

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]

Adipose tissue

Signalling molecules released by adipose tissue are referred to as adipokines.

Secreted hormone From cells Effect
Leptin (Primarily) Adipocytes decrease of appetite and increase of metabolism.
Adiponectin
Adipocytes
Reduces insulin resistance[17]
Estrogens[18] (mainly Estrone) Adipocytes

References

  1. .
  2. ^ Vander, Arthur (2008). Vander's Human Physiology: the mechanisms of body function. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pp. 332–333.
  3. ^ Colorado State University – Biomedical Hypertextbooks – Somatostatin
  4. PMID 15855738
    .
  5. ^ .
  6. ^ "Endocrine glands". opentextbc. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  7. ^ a b Nosek, Thomas M. "Section 5/5ch4/s5ch4_17". Essentials of Human Physiology. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24.
  8. PMID 10843196
    .
  9. ^ a b c d Bowen, R. (August 6, 2000) Placental Hormones. Colorado State University
  10. ^ Nosek, Thomas M. "Section 5/5ch9/s5ch9_13". Essentials of Human Physiology. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24.
  11. PMID 3184927
    .
  12. ^ Hormonal Therapy
  13. PMID 15298854
    .
  14. ^ .
  15. .
  16. .
  17. .
  18. .