The Endocrine System

What is Endocrine System?  Peptidic hormones are hydrophilic – bind surface receptor
The endocrine system is proteins instead of passing through the cell membrane
made up of glands and the hormones  Amino acid hormones derived from tyrosine; generally
they secrete. Although the endocrine hydrophilic (eg. Adrenaline/epinephrine and
glands are the primary hormone noradrenaline/norepinephrine) apart from thyroid
producers, the brain, heart, lungs, liver, hormones
skin, thymus, gastrointestinal mucosa,
and placenta also produce and release
hormones. The primary endocrine glands
are the pituitary (the master gland), pineal,
thyroid, parathyroid, islets of Langerhans,
adrenals, ovaries in the female and testes in the male.

 The function of the endocrine system is the production and

regulation of chemical substances called hormones.
 Secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream (exocrine
glands use ducts)
 Maintain homeostasis by controlling variables such as body
temperature, fluid balance especially negative feedback Hyposecretion or hypersecretion of any hormone can be harmful
mechanisms to the body. Controlling the production of hormones can treat
many hormonal disorders in the body

The endocrine system and nervous system work together to help

maintain homeostasis… balance. The hypothalamus is a
collection of specialized cells located in the brain, and is the
primary link between the two systems. It produces chemicals
that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions of the
pituitary gland.

Hormones
- is a chemical transmitter. It is released in small amounts from
glands, and is transported in the bloodstream to target organs or
other cells. Hormones are chemical messengers, transferring
information and instructions from one set of cells to another
- Hormones regulate growth, development, mood, tissue
function, metabolism, and sexual function.

- can be classified as steroids/ non-steroids

Hypothalamus
 Located at the base of the brain
 Hypothalamus, brain work closely to make hormones that
control other endocrine glands
 Made up with several nuclei which secrets hormones
Pituitary gland
 Located just below the brain; physically connected to
hypothalamus by pituitary stalk
 Made up of anterioir and posterior lobe

Steroid Hormones
 Derived from cholesterol; produced in adrenal glands,
gonads (testes/ovaries)
 They are hydrophobic/non-polar. They travel through
bloodstream with transport protein, diffuse across target cell
phospholipid membrane.
Secretions from the anterior pituitary gland aka Adenohypophysis

Anterior pituitary gland;

Non-Steroid Hormones  Made of glandular tissue
 Derived from peptides/proteins or single amino acids
 Receives stimulatory, inhibitory hormones from
hypothalamus via hypothalamo-hypophyseal-portal system

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): is a gonadotropic hormone

stimulating the development of corpus luteum in the female
ovarian follicles and the production of testosterone in the male.
The yellow corpus luteum remains after ovulation; it produces
estrogen and progesterone.
Growth Hormone (GH): essential for the growth and
development of bones, muscles, and other organs. It also
enhances protein synthesis, decreases the use of glucose, and
promotes fat destruction

Prolactin (PRL): stimulates the development and growth of the

mammary glands and milk production during pregnancy. The
sucking motion of the baby stimulates prolactin secretion

Adrenocorticotropin (TRŌ pun) (ACTH): essential for the

growth of the adrenal cortex.

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH): regulates skin

pigmentation and promotes the deposit of melanin in the skin
after exposure to sunlight
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): essential for the growth Delta cells suppress the release of glucagon and insulin.
and development of the thyroid gland.

Secretions from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland aka

Neurohypophysis

- posterior pituitary gland

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): is a gonadotropic

hormone. It stimulates the growth ovarian follicles in the female
and the production of sperm in the male.

 Made of axons from hypothalamic supraoptic,

paraventricular nuclei
 Receives directly from hypothalamus
 Instead of producing own hormones, posterior pituitary Hypersecretion of T3 and T4 = Grave’s disease, goiter, Basedow’s
stores hormone for later release disease
Calcitonin: influences bone and calcium metabolism; maintains a
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): homeostasis of calcium in the blood plasma
stimulates the reabsorption of water
by the renal tubules. Hyposecretion Secretions of the parathyroid gland…
of this hormone can result in diabetes
insipidus

Oxytocin: stimulates the uterus to contract during labor, delivery,

and parturition. A synthetic version of this hormone, used to
induce labor, is called Pitocin. It also stimulates the mammary
glands to release milk.

The two pairs of parathyroid glands are located on the dorsal or

back side of the thyroid gland. They secrete parathyroid (PTH)
which plays a role in the metabolism of phosphorus. Too little
results in cramping; too much results in osteoporosis or kidney
stones.

The islets of Langerhans

The islets of Langerhans are small clusters of cells located in the
Secretions from the pineal gland…
pancreas
Melatonin: communicates information about environmental
lighting to various parts of the body. Has some effect on
sleep/awake cycles and other biological events connected to
them, such as a lower production of gastric secretions at night
The pineal gland is pine-cone-shaped and only about 1 cm in
diameter.

Secretions from the islets of Langerhans

Beta cells secrete the hormone insulin, which is essential for the
maintenance of normal blood sugar levels. Inadequate levels
result in diabetes mellitus. Alpha cells facilitate the breakdown of
glycogen to glucose. This elevates the blood sugar.
Serotonin: a neurotransmitter that regulates intestinal
movements and affects appetite, mood, sleep, anger, and
metabolism.
The adrenal glands
The triangular-shaped adrenal glands are located on the top of
each kidney. The inside is called the medulla and the outside
Secretions of the thyroid gland…
layer is called the cortex.

Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3): essential to BMR –

Secretions from the adrenal cortex
basal metabolic rate (the rate at which a person’s body burns
Cortisol: regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism;
calories while at rest); influences physical/mental development
has an anti-inflammatory effect; helps the body cope during
and growth.
times of stress. Hyposecretion results in Addison’s disease;
Hyposecretion of T3 and T4 = cretinism, myxedema, Hashimoto’s
hypersecretion results in Cushing’s disease
disease
 necessary for the Thymus’ normal production of T cells for the
immune system.

The pancreas - helps with digestion, and an endocrine part, that

secretes insulin and glucagon.
- The exocrine part of the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes
Corticosterone: like cortisol, it is a steroid; influences potassium directly into the duodenum, which help break down food into
and sodium metabolism nutrients the small intestine can absorb.

Aldosterone: essential in regulating electrolyte and water

balance by promoting sodium and chloride retention and
potassium excretion

Androgens: several hormones including testosterone; they

promote the development of secondary sex characteristics in the
male.
- The endocrine part is made up of beta and alpha cells that
secrete insulin and, respectively, glucagon in response to blood
Secretions from adrenal medulla
sugar levels.
Dopamine is used to treat shock. It dilates the arteries, elevates
- So, when there’s high blood sugar, like right after a meal, beta
systolic blood pressure, increases cardiac output, and increases
cells secrete insulin into the blood, which binds to specific
urinary output.
receptors on all the cells in our body, helping them take in
Epinephrine is also called adrenalin. It elevates systolic blood
glucose, and use it for energy - therefore lowering our blood
pressure, increases heart rate and cardiac output, speeds up the
sugar levels after meals. With low blood sugar, on the other hand,
release of glucose from the liver… giving a spurt of energy, dilates
the alpha cells take charge and secrete glucagon.
the bronchial tubes and relaxes airways, and dilates the pupils to
see more clearly. It is often used to counteract an allergic
reaction.
Norepinephrine, like epinephrine, is released when the body is
under stress. It creates the underlying influence in the fight or
flight response. As a drug, however, it actually triggers a drop-in
heart rate.

Secretions of the ovaries

The ovaries produce several estrogen hormones and
progesterone. These hormones prepare the uterus for pregnancy,
promote the development of mammary glands, play a role in sex Glucagon knows the liver has a glucose “stash” called glycogen -
drive, and develop secondary sex characteristics in the female. so it binds to a receptor on liver cells, which respond by activating
Estrogen is essential for the growth, development, and enzymes that break down glycogen and release glucose into the
maintenance of female sex organs bloodstream. And that helps us make it between meals
Secretions of the testes
The testes produce the male sex hormone called testosterone. It
is essential for normal growth and development of the male sex
organs. Testosterone is responsible for the erection of the penis.

Secretions of the placenta

During pregnancy, the placenta serves as an endocrine gland. It
produces chorionic gonadotropin hormone, estrogen, and
progesterone

Secretions of the gastrointestinal mucosa

The mucosa of the pyloric area of the stomach secretes the
hormone gastrin, which stimulates the production of gastric acid
for digestion. The mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum secretes
the hormone secretin, which stimulates pancreatic juice, bile, and
intestinal secretion.

Secretions of the thymus

The thymus gland has two lobes, and is part of the lymphatic
system. It is a ductless gland, and secretes thymosin. This is