Hormone

Insulin

Released
from
Beta cells in
the pancreas

Glucagon

Alpha cells in
the pancreas

ACTH
(Adrenocortisotrop
ic)
Cortisol

Anterior
pituitary
gland
Adrenal
cortex
Anterior
pituitary
gland
Thyroid

Thyroid
stimulating
hormone
Thyroid hormone

Adrenaline

Adrenal
Medulla and
sympathetic
nerve fibre

Aldosterone

Adrenal

Action

Target organ

Facilitates uptake of glucose

from the blood into muscle
tissue (hence decreases blood
glucose levels)
Facilitates uptake of glucose
from muscle tissue into the
blood (hence increases blood
glucose levels)
Stimulates release of cortisol

Liver
Brain
Muscle

Liver
Brain
Muscle

Adrenal cortex

Stress hormone, increases blood

glucose levels (gluconogenesis)
Stimulates metabolism

Liver
Muscle
Thyroid gland

Increases basal metabolism,

increased gastric juices, growth
of body tissue, cell
differentiation, Brain and CNS
activity, increased temperature
Fight or flight response
increased blood pressure,
increased heart rate, increased
respiratory rate, dilation of pupil,
decreased digestion
Sodium and water retention, and

All cells

Cardiac
Respiratory
CNS

Kidneys

cortex
Produced in
the
hypothalamu
s and
released
from the
posterior
pituitary
gland
Parathyroid
gland

potassium excretion
Causes more water to be
reabsorbed into the blood, hence
there is a smaller volume of
more concentrated urine

Thyroid
gland
Anterior
pituitary
gland

Decreases blood calcium levels

Oxytocin

Posterior
pituitary
gland

Prolactin

Anterior
pituitary
gland
Anterior
pituitary

Stimulates contractions of
pregnant uterus, causes milk
ejection from breasts after
childbirth and acts as a
neurotransmitter in the brain
Promotes breast development
during pregnancy and promotes
milk production after childbirth
Stimulates development of
corpus luteum, ovulation,

ADH (Anti
diuretic hormone)

PTH (Para-thyroid
hormone)
Calcitonin
Growth hormone

Luteinizing
hormone (LH)

Increases blood calcium levels

Growth

Kidneys

Kidneys
Bone
Small intestine
Kidneys
Bone
Long bones
Soft tissue
Liver
Muscle
Mammary glands
Uterus

Breast tissue

Ovaries
Testes

gland
Follicle stimulating Anterior
hormone
pituitary
gland

production of progesterone and

estrogen, stimulates secretion of
testosterone
Stimulates growth of ovarian
follicle, estrogen and sperm
production

Ovaries
Testes