Endocrine

Hormones classified into three

groups
1. Aminesthese simple hormones are structural variations of the
amino acid tyrosine. This group includes thyroxine from the thyroid
gland and epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal
medulla.
2. Proteinsthese hormones are chains of amino acids. Insulin from
the pancreas, growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, and
calcitonin from the thyroid gland are all proteins. Short chains of
amino acids may be called peptides. Antidiuretic hormone and
oxytocin, synthesized by the hypothalamus, are peptide hormones.
3. Steroidscholesterol is the precursor for the steroid hormones,
which include cortisol and aldosterone from the adrenal cortex,
estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries, and testosterone from
the testes.

REGULATION OF HORMONE
SECRETION
Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands when
there is a need for them, that is, for their effects on
their target organs
The cells of endocrine glands respond to changes in
the blood or perhaps to other hormones in the blood
Negative feedback mechanism, information about
the effects of the hormone is fed back to the gland,
which then decreases its secretion of the hormone
The hormones of the anterior pituitary gland are
secreted in response to releasing hormones (also
called releasing factors) secreted by the
hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland
Its two major portions are the posterior
pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), which is
an extension of the nerve tissue of the
hypothalamus, and the anterior pituitary
gland (adenohypophysis), which is
separate glandular tissue

POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

The two hormones of the posterior
pituitary gland are actually produced by
the hypothalamus and simply stored in the
posterior pituitary until needed

(A) Posterior pituitary stores hormones produced in the hypothalamus.

(B) Releasing hormones of the hypothalamus circulate directly to the
anterior pituitary and influence its secretions

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Para

Pancreas

Adrenal Cortex

Ovariesin pelvic cavity on

either side ofuterus
Estrogenproduced by follicle cells. Promotes
maturation of ovum; stimulates growth of blood vessels
in endometrium; stimulates development of secondary
sex characteristics: growth of duct system of mammary
glands, growth of uterus, fat deposition. Promotes
closure of epiphyses of long bones; lowers blood levels
of cholesterol and triglycerides. Stimulus: FSH from
anterior pituitary.
Progesteroneproduced by the corpus luteum.
Promotes storage of glycogen and further growth of
blood vessels in the endometrium; promotes growth of
secretory cells of mammary glands. Stimulus: LH from
anterior pituitary.
Inhibininhibits secretion of FSH.

Testesin scrotum between the

upper thighs
Testosteroneproduced by interstitial cells.
Promotes maturation of sperm in testes;
stimulates development of secondary sex
characteristics: growth of reproductive organs,
facial and body hair, larynx, skeletal muscles;
promotes closure of epiphyses of long bones.
Stimulus: LH from anterior pituitary.
Inhibinproduced by sustentacular cells.
Inhibits secretion of FSH to maintain a constant
rate of sperm production. Stimulus: increased
testosterone.