 The endocrine system – a chemical communication

network that sends messages throughout the body via the

bloodstream.
o Hormones – chemicals that circulate through the
blood and regulate the functioning or growth of the
body.

Gland Hormones Principal effects

Posterior Oxytocin Stimulates

pituitary contraction of
uterine muscles;
stimulates release
of milk by
mammary glands
Vasopressin Stimulates
increased water
reabsorption by
kidneys; stimulates
constriction of
blood vessels
Anterior Growth hormone Stimulates growth
pituitary
Thyroid-stimulating Stimulates the
hormone thyroid
Adrenocorticotropic Stimulates the
hormone adrenal cortex
Follicle-stimulating Stimulates growth
hormone of ovarian follicles
 and of
seminiferous
tubules of the
testes
Luteinizing Stimulates
hormone conversion of
follicles into
corpora lutea;
stimulates
secretion of sex
hormones by
gonads
Prolactin Stimulates milk
secretion by
mammary glands
Hypothalamus Releasing Regulate hormone
hormones secretion by
anterior pituitary
Oxytocin; See under posterior
vasopressin pituitary
Pineal Melatonin Regulates seasonal
changes; regulates
puberty; for sexual
maturity
Thymus Thymosin For white blood
cells; stimulates
sex differentiation;
for immune system
Adrenal Glucocorticoids Inhibit
cortex incorporation of
amino acids into
protein in muscle;
stimulate formation
and storage of
glycogen; help
maintain normal
blood sugar level
Mineralocorticoids Regulate
metabolism of
sodium and
potassium
Sex hormones Regulate facial and
body hair
Gonads
Testes Androgens Stimulate
(testosterone, development and
dihydrotestosterone, maintenance of
etc male primary and
secondary sexual
characteristics and
behavior
Ovaries Estrogens Stimulate
(estradiol, development and
estrone, etc.) maintenance of
female secondary
sexual
characteristics and
behavior
Progestins Stimulate female
 (progesterone) secondary sexual
characteristics and
behavior; maintain
pregnancy
Thyroid Thyroxine, Stimulate oxidative
triiodothyronine metabolism
Calcitonin Prevents excessive
rise in blood
calcium
Parathyroid Parathormone Regulates calcium
level in the blood
Pancreas Insulin Stimulates
glycogen formation
and storage,
utilization of sugar
Glucagons Stimulates
conversion of
glycogen into
glucose