This document summarizes the major endocrine glands, the hormones they secrete, their target tissues, and physiological responses. The pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate other endocrine glands as well as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and lactation. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism and growth through thyroid hormones. The parathyroid gland regulates calcium levels through parathyroid hormone. The adrenal glands secrete hormones involved in stress response, metabolism, and sexual characteristics. The pancreas regulates glucose levels through insulin and glucagon. Reproductive organs secrete sex hormones regulating development and function.

1. GLAND HORMONE TARGET TISSUE RESPONSE
Pituitary Gland
• Anterior Growth Hormone • Most tissues • Increases protein synthesis
• Breakdown of lipids
• Release of fatty acids from cells
• Increases blood glucose levels
Thyroid – stimulating • Thyroid Gland • Increases thyroid hormone secretion (thyroxine and
Hormone (TSH) triiodothyronine)
Adrenocorticotropic • Adrenal cortex • Increases secretion of glucocorticoid hormones such as
Hormone (ACTH) cortisol
• Increases skin pigmentation at high concentrations
Melanocyte – stimulating • Melanocytes in skin • Increases melanin production in melanocytes to make the
Hormone (MSH) skin darker in color
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) • Ovary in females • Promotes ovulation and progesterone production in the
or Interstitial cell • Testis in males ovary
stimulating Hormone • Testosterone synthesis and support for sperm cell
(ICSH) production in testis
Follicle – stimulating • Follicles in ovary in • Promotes follicle maturation and estrogen secretion in ovary
Hormone (FSH) females • Sperm cell production in testis
• Seminiferous tubules in
males
Prolactin • Ovary and mammary • Stimulates milk production and prolongs progesterone
gland in females secretion following ovulation and during pregnancy in
• Testis in males women
• Increases sensitivity to LH in males
• Posterior Antidiuretic Hormone • KIdney • Increases water reabsorption (less water is lost as urine)
(ADH)
Oxytocin • Uterus • Increases uterine contractions
• Mammary gland • Increases milk “let down” from mammary glands
Thyroid Gland Thyroid Hormones • Most cells of the body • Increase metabolic rates
• Thyroxine • Essential for normal process of growth and maturation
• Triiodothyronine
Calcitonin • Primarily bone • Decreases rate of bone breakdown
• Prevents large increase in blood Ca2+ levels following a meal
Parathyroid Gland Parathyroid Hormone • Bone • Increases rate of bone breakdown by osteoclasts
• Kidney • Increases vitamin D synthesis
• Essential for maintenance of normal blood calcium levels
Adrenal Glands
• Medulla Epinephrine mostly, some • Heart • Increases cardiac output
Norepinephrine • Blood vessels • Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles and heart
• Liver • Increases releases of glucose and fatty acids into blood
• Fat cells • In general, prepares the body for physical activity
• Cortex Mineralocorticoids • Kidneys • Increase rate of sodium transport into body
(aldosterone) • To a lesser degree, • Increase rate of potassium excretion
intestine and sweat • Secondarily favor water retention
glands
Glucocorticoids (cortisol) • Most tissues (e. g. liver, • Increase fat and protein breakdown
fat, skeletal muscle, • Increase glucose synthesis from amino acids
immune tissues) • Increase blood nutrient levels
• Inhibit inflammation and immune response
Adrenal androgens • Most tissues • Male sexual characteristics
• Female sexual drive, pubic hair, and axillary hair growth

2. Pancreas Insulin • Liver • Increases uptake and use of glucose and amino acids
• Skeletal muscle
• Adipose tissue
Glucagon • Primarily liver • Increases breakdown of glycogen
• Release of glucose into the circulatory system
Reproductive organs
• Testes Testosterone • Most tissues • Aids in sperm cell production
• Maintenance of functional reproductive organs
• Secondary sexual characteristics
• Sexual behavior
• Ovaries Estrogen and • Most tissues • Aid in uterine and mammary gland development and
Progesterone function
• External genitalia structure
• Secondary sexual characteristics
• Sexual behavior
• Menstrual cycle
• Uterus, Prostaglandins • Most tissues • Mediate inflammatory responses
ovaries, and • Increase uterine contraction and ovulation
inflamed
tissues
Thymus Gland Thymosin • Immune tissues • Promotes immune system development and function
Pineal body Melatonin • At least the • Inhibits secretion of gonadotropin – releasing hormone,
hypothalamus thereby inhibiting reproduction