Lecture - 8 Endocrine

Animal Physiology
Endocrine System
Endocrinology is concerned with study of the biosynthesis, storage, chemistry,
biochemical and physiological functions of hormones and with the cells of the
endocrine glands and tissues.
• The endocrine system consists of several glands, all in different parts of the body that
secrete hormones directly into the blood rather than into a duct system.
• Hormones have many different functions and modes of action; one hormone may
have several effects on different target organs, and on the other hand, one target organ
may be affected by more than one hormone.
• Endocrine glands are ductless glands and their secretion is known as hormone.
• Along with nervous system it controls and coordinates the body functions and
maintains a homeostasis. So both endocrine and nervous systems collectively called
neuroendocrine system.
• The name hormone was given by Starling in 1902. He discovered secretin hormone.
- Properties of Hormones:
1- They are secreted by endocrine glands.
2-They are known as chemical messengers or information molecules.
3- They have exciter or an inhibitory action on target organs.
4- Hormones are released in blood (humoral) and reach the target organs through
circulatory system.
5- Hormones act by binding to specific receptors in the target organ. Hormones
increase cellular activity and work indirectly by activating the genes.
6- They coordinate physical, mental and development of secondary sexual characters.
7- They maintain homeostasis.
8- Chemically they are different in nature.
9- They have low molecular weight and act in very low concentration.
10- They are non-antigenic.
11- They are short lived.
12-They are quick in action (adrenalin) while some are very slow (estrogens).
13- They vary widely in their specificity. For example TSH acts only on thyroid while
thyroxin acts on variety of target cells.
14- They are used up after their action.
Chemical Nature of Hormones: Chemically hormones are divided into four

categories.
1. Polypeptides: These hormones are composed of chains of amino acids that are
shorter than about 100 amino acids. Some important examples include: insulin and
antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
2. Glycoproteins: These are composed of a polypeptide significantly longer than
100 amino acids to which are attached a carbohydrate. Examples include: follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
3. Amines: Derived from the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan, they include
hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, thyroid and pineal glands.
4. Steroids: These hormones are lipids derived from cholesterol, and include the
hormones testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, cortisol and adrenal cortex hormone
corticosteroids.
Types of hormones on the basis of function:

It is of three types.
1- Local Hormones: Also known as para-hormones or tissue hormones. They are
secreted at one place and work upon adjacent tissue. They reach by diffusion. Ex.
Acetyl choline.
2- Synergistic hormones: When hormones work together. Ex: (FSH and LH),
(Insulin and glucocorticoids).
3- Antagonistic Hormones: These hormones work against each other. For example,
Insulin decreases the sugar in the body while glucagon increases it.
Pituitary Gland :
Also known as hypophysis. It is composed of three lobes: anterior, intermediate,

and posterior. In many animals, the intermediate lobe is indistinct; as a result, it is
often considered part of the anterior pituitary.
Table 1. Posterior lobe of pituitary hormones

Endocrine Gland Target Tissue Principal Actions Chemical Nature
and Hormone
Antidiuretic Kidneys Stimulates reabsorption of Peptide
hormone (ADH( water; conserves water (9 amino acids)
Oxytocin 1- Uterus 1- Stimulates contraction Peptide
2- Mammary glands 2- Stimulates milk ejection (9 amino acids)
Table 2. Anterior lobe of pituitary hormone
Endocrine Gland Target Principal Actions Chemical Nature

and Hormone Tissue
Growth hormone Many Stimulates growth by Protein
(GH( organs promoting protein synthesis
and fat breakdown
Adrenocorticotropic Adrenal Stimulates secretion of Peptide
hormone (ACTH) cortex adrenal cortical hormones (39 amino acid)
such as cortisol
Thyroid-stimulating Thyroid Stimulates thyroxin Glycoprotein
hormone (TSH) gland secretion
Luteinizing Gonads Stimulates ovulation and Glycoprotein
hormone (LH) corpus lutein formation in
females; stimulates secretion
of testosterone in males
Follicle-stimulating Gonads Stimulates spermatogenesis Glycoprotein
hormone (FSH( in males; stimulates
development of ovarian
follicles in females
Prolactin (PRL( Mammary Stimulates milk production Protein
glands
Melanocyte- Skin Stimulates color change in Peptide
stimulating reptiles and amphibians; (two forms; 13
hormone (MSH( unknown function in and 22 amino
mammals acids)
Table 3. Glands and Their Hormones
Endocrine gland Target tissue Principal actions Chemical
And hormone nature
Thyroid gland 1-stimulates metabolic rate; essential 1- iodinated
1-thyroxine (thyroid 1- most cells to normal growth and development amino acid
hormone( 2-lowers blood calcium level by 2- peptide (32
2-calcitonin 2- bone inhibiting loss of calcium from bone amino acids)
Parathyroid glands Bone, kidneys, Raises blood calcium level by Peptide (34
parathyroid digestive tract stimulating bone breakdown; amino acids)
hormone stimulates calcium reabsorption in
kidneys; activates vitamin d
Adrenal medulla Smooth Initiate stress responses; raise heart Amino acid
epinephrine muscle, cardiac rate, blood pressure, metabolic rate; derivatives
(adrenaline) and muscle, blood dilate blood vessels; mobilize fat;
norepinephrine vessels raise blood glucose level
(noradrenaline)
Adrenal cortex 1- maintains proper balance of na+
1-aldosterone Kidney tubules and k+ ions 2- adaptation to long- Steroid
2- cortisol Many organs term stress; raises blood glucose
level; mobilizes fat Steroid
Pancreas 1- liver, 1- lowers blood glucose level; 1- peptide (51
insulin skeletal stimulates storage of glycogen in amino acids)
Glucagon muscles, liver 2- peptide (29
adipose tissue 2- raises blood glucose level; amino acids)
2- liver, stimulates breakdown of glycogen in
adipose tissue liver
Ovary estradiol General Stimulates development of Steroid
Progesterone Female secondary sex characteristics in
reproductive females stimulates growth of sex Steroid
structures organs at puberty and monthly
uterus preparation of uterus for pregnancy
mammary completes preparation for pregnancy
glands stimulates development
Testis testosterone Many organs Stimulates development of Steroid
Male secondary sex characteristics in
reproductive males and growth spurt at puberty
structures stimulates development of sex
organs; stimulates spermatogenesis
Pineal gland Gonads, Function not well understood; Amino acid
melatonin pigment cells influences pigmentation in some derivative
vertebrates; may control biorhythms
in some animals; may influence
onset of puberty in humans

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Animal Physiology

Chemical Nature of Hormones: Chemically hormones are divided into four

Types of hormones on the basis of function:

Also known as hypophysis. It is composed of three lobes: anterior, intermediate,

Table 1. Posterior lobe of pituitary hormones

Table 2. Anterior lobe of pituitary hormone

Endocrine Gland Target Principal Actions Chemical Nature

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