The document summarizes the key endocrine glands and hormones. It describes the pituitary gland and its hormones that control other endocrine glands. It then discusses each major endocrine gland - thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries/testes, thymus and pineal gland. It outlines some disorders associated with over and underproduction of hormones. The document concludes by discussing endocrine disruptors - chemicals that can interfere with hormone function - and the research scope around understanding and preventing their health effects.

1. Dr Y S Sumathy
CRD Batch 2
Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre

2. Endocrine System
• The endocrine system includes the endocrine glands
and their hormones
• The function of the endocrine system is to secrete
hormones into the bloodstream.
• Uses hormones to control and coordinate body's
metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and
development, and response to injury, stress, and
mood.

3. 3
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

4. 4
Pituitary Gland
• Small gland in brain
• Controlled by
hypothalamus
• Divided into 2 regions:
anterior and posterior

5. Anterior Pituitary Hormones
1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- regulates thyroid gland secretions
2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- promotes ovulation and progesterone production in
females and sperm production and testosterone in males.
3. Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
-follicle maturation and estrogen secretion in females and
sperm production in males
4. Growth Hormone (GH)
- stimulates growth of bones, muscles, and organs
5. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
-essential for the growth of the adrenal cortex
6. Prolactin (PRL) - milk production
7. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH): regulates skin
pigmentation and promotes the deposit of melanine in the skin
after exposure to sunlight

6. 6
Posterior Pituitary Gland
1. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): Vasopressin
- stimulates the reabsorption of water by the renal tubules.
Hyposecretion of this hormone can result in diabetes insipidus.
2. 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.

7. Pituitary Disorders
• Oversecretion of growth hormone:
– Giantism in childhood and Acromegaly in adults (bones
of face, hands and feet enlarge)
• Undersecretion of growth hormone:
– Dwarfism in childhood

8. Pituitary Disorders
• Excess of ACTH -Cushing’s disease
• Lack of ACTH – Addison’s Disease
• Lack of ADH - Diabetes Insipidus
• Excess of ADH – Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH

9. 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.
Serotonin: a neurotransmitter that regulates intestinal movements
and affects appetite, mood, sleep, anger, and metabolism.
The pineal gland is pine-cone-shaped and only about 1 cm in diameter.
Pineal Gland

10. 10
• One of largest glands
• Requires iodine to function
• Thyroxin (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)
- regulates metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and
protein
• Calcitonin : helps lower blood calcium levels 10
Thy Thyroid Glandroid Gland

11. 11
Abnormalities of Thyroid Gland
• Hypothyroidism:
– Decreased metabolism
– Weight gain, reduced
appetite, fatigue
– Low temp. and pulse
– Dry, cold skin
– Myxedema in adults
– Cretinism in infants
• Hyperthyroidism:
– Increased metabolism
– Weight loss, increased
appetite, nervousness
– Higher temp. and pulse
– Warm, flushed skin
– Graves’ disease (leads to
goiter)

12. Thyroid Disorders
Cretinism Myxedema Goiter
Hyposecretion of T3 and T4 - Cretinism, Myxedema
Hypersecretion of T3 and T4 - Grave’s disease, Goiter

13. Parathyroid Gland
• Located in back of thyroid gland
• Hormone released is Parathormone
• Function is to control metabolism of calcium
– Necessary for normal nerve and muscle function, blood
clotting, healthy bones and teeth
• Undersecretion of Parathormone results in nerve
disorders, brittle bones and clotting problems

14. Parathyroid disorders
Hyperparathyroidism – Di George’s Syndrome
• Increased neuromuscular excitability
• Paresthesia
• Mental retardation
• ECG Changes – prolonged Q-T, S-T
Hyperparathyroidism
• Kidney stones
•Metastatic calcification of sift tissues
•Hypertension and heart palpitations
•Increase of gastric secretion
Osteodystrophy – bone malformation and short stature
in children, brittle bones in adults.

15. Adrenal Glands
Adrenal Medulla - Epinephrine/Norepinephrine
- released as part of fight or flight response
Adrenal Cortex
1. Aldosterone : causes Na+ and H2O to be retained and K+ to be
secreted, indirectly involved with blood pressure and blood volume
2. Cortisol: increases breakdown of fat and protein for energy uses
reduces inflammatory and immune responses
3. Androgens: Males: secondary sexual characteristics
Females: sex drive

16. Adrenal Gland Disorders
Hypofunction of Adrenal Cortex - Addison’s disease
Hyperfunction of Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Vilirism (Adrenogenital Syndrome)

17. Islet of Langerhans
• Located on the pancreas
• Hormones secreted are insulin and glucagon
• Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by cells
• Glucagon promotes conversion of glycogen (animal-
based carbohydrate) to glucose

18. • Diabetes Type 1- Usually found in children and young adults;
the body doesn’t make enough insulin
• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and Irritability
• Diabetes- Type 2 - Either the body doesn’t produce enough
insulin, or the cells ignore it.
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
Pancreatic Disorders

19. 19
Testes
• Testosterone:
- aids in sperm and reproductive organ development and function
Ovaries
• Estrogen/Progesterone:
- involved in uterine and mammary gland development and
menstrual cycle
Thymus gland
• Thymosin:
- promotes immune system development and function
Pineal Gland
•Melatonin:
- plays a role in onset of puberty and controls circadian
rhythms. Light affects its function.

20. Endocrine Disruptors
Many chemicals, both natural and man-made, may mimic or interfere
with the body’s hormones are called endocrine disruptors.
Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products, including
some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame
retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Bisphenol A (BPA) — used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are found in
many plastic products including food storage containers
Dioxins — produced as a byproduct in herbicide production and paper bleaching, they are also
released into the environment during waste burning and wildfires
Perchlorate — a by-product of aerospace, weapon, and pharmaceutical industries found in
drinking water and fireworks
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) — used widely in industrial applications,
such as firefighting foams and non-stick pan, paper, and textile coatings
Phthalates — used to make plastics more flexible, they are also found in some food packaging,
cosmetics, children’s toys, and medical devices
Phytoestrogens — naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone-like activity, such
as genistein and daidzein that are in soy products, like tofu or soy milk
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) — used to make flame retardants for household
products such as furniture foam and carpets
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) — used to make electrical equipment like transformers, and in
hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers

21. Research Scope
•Developing new models and tools to better understand how
endocrine disrupters work
•Developing and applying high throughout assays to identify
substances with endocrine disrupting activity
•Conducting animal and human health research to define linkages
between exposure to endocrine disrupters and health effects
•Developing new assessments and biomarkers of exposure and
toxicity
•Identifying and developing new intervention and prevention
strategies

22. 1. DISEASES OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM : Lectures from Endocrinology
- Stanislav Oravec, MD, PhD. Professor of Internal Medicine
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, 2018
2. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM - John S. Bevan
References