The endocrine system consists of glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream, where they are distributed to target tissues and cells. The hypothalamus-pituitary complex controls many other endocrine glands. Oxytocin is known as the "bonding hormone" that facilitates social interactions, sexual and maternal behaviors, and plays a role in lactation and birth. Disorders of oxytocin expression have been linked to conditions like autism and schizophrenia. Too little or too much growth hormone can cause dwarfism, gigantism, or acromegaly at different stages of life.

1. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

2. The
endocrine
glands

3. • Endocrine glands release their secretions – hormones – directly into the bloodstream, from
where they are distributed to target cells (tissues)
• Recall that neurotransmitters like adrenaline and noradrenaline can also be hormones!

4. Hypothalamus – pituitary complex

9. Oxytocin
• Best known for its role in lactation and
uterine-contraction properties during birth
But!
The “bonding hormone”, “facilitator of life”
• “Oxt is important for social memory and attachment, sexual and
maternal behavior, and aggression. Recent work implicates Oxt in
human bonding and trust as well. Human disorders characterized by
aberrant social interactions, such as autism and schizophrenia, may
also involve Oxt expression. Many, if not most, of Oxt’s functions,
from social interactions (affiliation, aggression) and sexual behavior
to eventual parturition, lactation and maternal behavior, may be
viewed as specifically facilitating”
From Oxytocin: the Great Facilitator of Life, Heon-Jin Lee, Abbe H.
Macbeth, [...], and W. Scott Young, 3rd
, Progress in neurobiology

11. Hypo- or hypersecretion of hGH
hyposecretion - dwarfism
hypersecretion - gigantism
during childhood
Hypersecretion
during adulthood  acromegaly