GENERAL FUNCTION OF ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

PHYSIOLOGY DEPARTEMENT MEDICAL SCHOOL OF UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA

Location of Major Endrocrine Organs

Figure 9.3
Copyright 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings

HYPOTHALAMUS
The release of hormones from both the posterior and anterior pituitary is directly controlled by hypothalamus

Posterior pituitary connects to hypothalamus by a neural pathway Anterior pituitary connects to the hypothalamus by unique vascular link

Hypothalamic hormones
Hormone Thyrotropin RH (TRH) Gonadotropin RH (GnRH) Corticotropin RH (CRH) Growth hormone RH (GHRH) Growth hormone IH (GHIH) (somatostatin) Target Pituitary Hormone Thyrotropin, Prolactin LH, FSH Adrenocorticotropin Growth hormone Growth hormone

Prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIF) Prolactin, Thyrotropin (Dopamine)

Complex endocrine pathways involving pituitary and hypothalamus

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The Posterior Pituitary

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin

Neurohormones
Synthesized by neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei Small peptides synthesized in the cell bodies and transported to the posterior pituitary by specific carrier proteins

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Antidiuretic actions - increases permeability of the collecting ducts to water - V2 receptors Vasopressor actions - constricts vascular smooth muscle cells - V1 receptors, non-hormonal

diabetes insipidus

Oxytocin
Breast-feeding - contracts the myoepithelial cells of the alveoli - classic neuroendocrine reflex

Childbirth (parturition) - in late pregnancy, uterine smooth muscle (myometrium) becomes sensitive to oxytocin - positive feedback

Growth Hormone
Does not have a target gland as other
pituitary hormones. Promotes growth in all tissues. Major targets: protein and lipid metabolism Mechanisms: transcriptional and translational

Physiologic effects of GH
Anabolic effects: promotion of protein synthesis and amino acid transport decreased catabolism of proteins and amino acids Stimulation of bone growth and cartilage formation: Cell division and protein synthesis Differentiation of condrocites to osteogenic cells and deposition of bone

PROLACTIN
Breast is main site of action. Episodic release PRL secretion induced by high estrogen and hCG PRH oxytocin PRL inhibitor : PIH (dopamine) most dominant

PRL inhibits LHRH secretion TRH can act as a PRL stimulator

Thyroid Gland

Secretion: mediated through hypothalamuspituitary secretions Steroidal hormones:

Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3): both regulate production of ATP from glucose, affects metabolic rate Calcitonin: lowers blood calcium levels

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THYROID HORMONES

Increase O2 consumption of almost all active tissues
(in part by mobilising fatty acids)

Increase cardiac output

Needed for normal brain development

Needed for normal growth and skeletal maturation

Negative feedback homeostasis: T3 and T4 effects on TSH and TRH

Parathyroid Glands

Secretion: response to lowered blood calcium levels Hormone: Parathyroid hormone (PTH), nonsteroidal

Removes calcium and phosphate from bone Increases absorption of calcium by the digestive tract Increases renal retention of calcium and excretion of phosphate

Pancreas: Endocrine Functions

Structures: islets of Langerhans

Hormones: nonsteroidal

Glucagon: made by alpha cells, raises blood

sugar

Insulin: made by beta cells, lowers blood sugar

Roles of Insulin and Glucagon in Regulating Blood Glucose

Adrenal Gland
epinephrine norepinephrine cortisol aldosterone

Cortisol exerts negative feedback on ACTH and CRH

Cortisol effects Synergizes glucagon and epinephrine

Secretion of Cortisol

Cortisol Effects
Increases in blood [glucose] (gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis) [amino acids] (protein catabolism) [fatty acids] (lipolysis)
Permissive for action of glucagon and epinephrine(synergism) Anti-inflammatory (prevents actions of cytokines) Negative feedback reduces CRH (hypothalamus) reduces ACTH (anterior pituitary)

Adrenal Glands: Medulla

Adrenal medulla: neuroendocrine organ

Secretion: sympathetic nervous system

Hormones: nonsteroidal

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine: enhance function of sympathetic nervous system

(Fight or flight)

Roles of the Hypothalamus and Adrenal Glands in the Stress Response

Copyright 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings

LH and FSH

LH/ FSH function

Ovary ova oestrogen progesterone Testes sperm testosterone

TESTES
Testosterone synthesised from Leydig cells LH stimulates this release Sertoli cells play important role in spermatogenesis FSH stimulates Sertoli cells

OVARIES
FSH stimulate follicle maturation

Granular cell secrete estrogen

LH stimulate follicle maturation in the last periode and surge preceeds ovulation Corpus luteum secrete progesteron Mechanism negative feed back from progesteron and estrogen reduce FSH/LH

Testes

Hormone: testosterone (steroidal)

Functions:

Regulates development and normal

functioning of sperm, male reproductive

organs, male sex drive

Development of male secondary sex characteristics

Ovaries

Hormones (steroidal) and functions:

Estrogen: initiates development of

secondary sex characteristics, regulates

menstrual cycle

Progesterone: regulates menstrual cycle