Substances produced in one part of the body (often
called a 'gland') which regulate the activity of an organ or group of
cells in another part of the body.
| The major hormones and their effects |
| Gland |
Hormone |
Controls |
| Anterior pituitary. |
Growth hormone. |
Growth and metabolism. |
|
|
Thyroid-stimulating hormone. |
Thyroid gland. |
|
|
Adrenocorticotrophic
hormone (ACTH) |
Adrenal cortex. |
|
|
Gonadotropic hormones (follicle-stimulating
hormone and luteinizing hormone) |
Gonads (reproductive glands). |
| Posterior pituitary |
Oxytocin |
Milk 'let-down'. Uterine motility. |
| |
Antidiuretic hormone |
Water excretion by the kidneys. |
Adrenal
cortex |
Cortisol |
Metabolism. Stress response. |
| |
Androgens |
Male characteristics. Sex drive in men and women. |
| |
Aldosterone |
Excretion of sodium and potassium by the kidneys. |
| Adrenal medulla |
Adrenaline (epinephrine) |
Metabolism. Stress response. |
| |
Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) |
Metabolism. Stress response. |
| Thyroid |
Thyroxine and
triiodothyronine |
Energy, metabolism and growth. |
|
|
Calcitonin |
Calcium balance in blood. |
| Parathyroid glands |
Parathyroid hormone |
Calcium and phosphate balance in blood. |
| Pancreas |
Insulin
Glucagon
Somatostatin |
Metabolism. Blood sugar control. |
| Ovaries |
Oestrogen and progesterone. |
Reproductive system in women. Female
characteristics. |
| Testes |
Testosterone |
Reproductive system in males. Male
characteristics. |
| Pineal |
Melatonin |
Diurnal rhythms (sleep and waking). |
