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
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
Adrenocorticotropin
Controls production and secretion of adrenal cortex hormones (cortisol and aldosterone)
Growth hormone (GH)
Affects growth and development; stimulates protein production; affects fat distribution
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics
Oxytocin
Stimulates contraction of uterus and milk ducts in the breast
Prolactin
Initiates and maintains milk production in breasts; impacts sex hormone levels
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones
Kidneys
Renin and angiotensin
Controls blood pressure
Erythropoietin
Affects red blood cell (RBC) production
Pancreas
Glucagon
Raises blood sugar levels
Insulin
Lowers blood sugar levels; stimulates metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat
Ovaries
Estrogen
Affects development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive development
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
Epinephrine
Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow
Norepinephrine
Maintains normal body activities
Testes (testicles)
Testosterone
Develop and maintainmale 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
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
Regulates thyroid stimulating hormone release in the pituitary gland
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Regulates LH/FSH production in the pituitary gland
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
Regulates adrenocorticotropin release in the pituitary gland
Thymus
Humoral factors
Helps develop the lymphoid system
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