MLS111L – Human Anatomy and Physiology with Pathophysiology

Experiment 8: The Endocrine System (Topics for Discussion)

Endocrine Glands
- Ductless glands that produce hormones which utilizes blood circulation to reach a (usually) distant target site.
- Acts together with the nervous system to coordinate functions of all body systems.

COMPARISON OF CONTROL BY THE NERVOUS AND THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Characteristic Nervous System Endocrine System
Mediator molecules Neurotransmitters released locally in response to nerve impulses Hormones delivered to tissues throughout the body by blood
Site of mediator action Close to site of release, at synapse; Binds to receptors in the Far from site of release (usually); Binds to receptors on or in
postsynaptic membrane target cells
Types of target cells Muscle (smooth, cardiac, and skeletal) cells, gland cells, or other Cells throughout body
neurons
Time to onset of actions Typically within milliseconds (thousandths of a second) Seconds to hours or days
Duration of action Generally briefer (milliseconds) Generally longer (seconds to days)

THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Endocrine Gland (or cells) Hormone Chemical Nature Major Sites of Action Principal Action
of Hormone
1. HYPOTHALAMUS
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone Peptide Anterior Pituitary Release of thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TRH) (TSH) & prolactin (PRL)
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone Peptide Anterior Pituitary Release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and
(Gn-RH) or luteinizing hormone- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
releasing hormone (LH-RH)
Corticotropin-releasing hormone Peptide Anterior Pituitary Release of adrenocorticotropic hormone
(CRH) (ACTH) & β- lipotropic hormone
Growth hormone-releasing Peptide Anterior Pituitary Release of growth hormone (GH)
hormone (GH-RH)
Somatostatin (SS) or growth Peptide Anterior Pituitary Suppression of secretion of many
hormone- inhibiting hormone (GH- hormones such as GH & TSH
IH)
*(Also secreted by the pancreas)
Dopamine Modified Amino Anterior Pituitary Inhibits release of prolactin (PRL)
acid
2. ANTERIOR PITUITARY (Adenohypophysis)
- Also known as the ‘master gland’
- Cell types:
o Somatotrophs
o Lactotrophs
o Gonadotrophs
o Thyrotrophs
o Corticotrophs
Endocrine Gland (or cells) Hormone Chemical Nature Major site of Action Principal Actions
of Hormone
(Continuation of Anterior Pituitary)
Somatotrophs Growth Hormone (GH) or Peptide Liver, Peripheral Liver production of IGF-1 (insulin-like
Somatotropin Tissues growth factor-1), also known as
Somatomedin C
Stimulates growth in epiphyseal plates
of long bones via IGF-1
Anabolic effects
Lactotrophs Prolactin (PRL) Peptide Mammary glands Proliferation of mammary gland;
Initiation of milk secretion; antagonist
of insulin action
Gonadotrophs Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Glycoprotein Ovary Growth of follicles (also a function of
LH); Secretion of estrogen and
ovulation
Testis Development of seminiferous tubules;
Spermatogenesis
Luteinizing hormone (LH) or Glycoprotein Ovary Ovulation, formation of corpora lutea;
Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone Secretion of progesterone
(ICSH) in men Testis Secretion of androgens; Stimulation of
interstitial tissue
Thyrotrophs Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Glycoprotein Thyroid gland Stimulation of formation and secretion
or Thyrotropin of thyroid hormones
Corticotrophs Adrenocorticotropic hormone Peptide Adrenal cortex Stimulation of adrenocortical steroid
(ACTH) formation and secretion
Other names: Corticotropin or
Adrenocorticotropin

3. POSTERIOR PITUITARY (Neurohypophysis)

- DOES NOT synthesize hormones
- Only stores and releases two hormones
- Hormones that it stores & releases are synthesized by the hypothalamus
o Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus synthesize oxytocin
o Supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus synthesize antidiuretic hormone

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Peptide Kidneys (Renal tubules) Increases water reabsorption;
Other names: Vasopressin/ Decreases urine output;
Arginine vasopressin Elevation of blood pressure
Oxytocin Peptide Uterus and Mammary Ejection of milk; Contraction of uterine
glands smooth muscle for parturition and
sperm transport
4. PINEAL GLAND (Epiphysis cerebri)
Melatonin Indoleamine Hypothalamus Induction of sleep
Suppression of gonadotropin and GH
secretion
Endocrine gland (or cell) Hormone Chemical Nature Major Site of Action Principal Action
of Hormone
5. THYROID GLAND
Follicular cell Thyroid hormones: Increases oxygen consumption and
a. Thyroxine or metabolic rate of tissue
Tetraiodothyronine(T4) Iodoamino acids General body tissue
b. Triiodothyronine (T3)
Parafollicular cell Calcitonin/ Thyrocalcitonin Peptide Skeleton Lowers blood levels of calcium and
phosphate:
a. Inhibits bone resorption by
osteoclasts
b. Accelerates uptake of calcium &
phosphates into bone extracellular
matrix
6. PARATHYROID GLAND
Principal (chief) Parathyroid hormone Peptide Increases blood calcium and magnesium;
cells (Parathormone) Decreases blood phosphate level:
a. Kidneys a. Increased calcium reabsorption;
Inhibits phosphate reabsorption;
Increases formation of calcitriol,
active form of Vitamin D (which
increases absorption of dietary
b. Skeleton Ca2+ and Mg2+)
b. Increases bone resorption by
osteoclasts
7. PANCREAS – Islets of Langerhans/ Pancreatic Islets
Alpha cells Glucagon Peptide Liver Increases blood glucose levels:
a. Glycogenolysis (breakdown of
glycogen into glucose by the liver)
b. Gluconeogenesis (converting
amino acids into glucose by the
liver)
Beta cells Insulin Peptide Liver, fat, muscle Decreases blood glucose levels:
a. Acts on several tissues to cause
entry of glucose into cells
b. Glycogenesis (Converting
glucose into glycogen)
c. Decreases glycogenolysis &
gluconeogenesis
Increases lipogenesis and stimulates
protein synthesis
Delta cells Somatostatin Peptide Pancreatic islets, Anterior Inhibits release of insulin and glucagon
pituitary, Gastric parietal Slows absorption of nutrients from
cells gastrointestinal tract
F cells (PP cells) Pancreatic polypeptide Peptide GIT Inhibits somatostatin secretion,
gallbladder contraction, and secretion of
pancreatic digestive enzymes
Endocrine gland (or cell) Hormone Chemical Nature Major Sites of Action Principal Action
of Hormone
8. ADRENAL (SUPRARENAL GLAND)
8A. ADRENAL CORTEX
o Produces STEROID HORMONES
o Three different zones (from outermost to innermost):
 Zona glomerulosa: Produces hormones collectively called MINERALOCORTICOIDS
 Zona fasciculata: Produces hormones collectively called GLUCOCORTICOIDS
 Zona reticularis: Produces ANDROGEN hormones
Zona glomerulosa Aldosterone Steroid Kidney Salt and water balance; Increases sodium
reabsorption
Zona fasciculata Cortisol Steroid General body tissues Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and
fats; Resistance to stress
Anti-inflammatory effects
Zona reticularis Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); Steroid Hormone precursors Converted to estrogen and testosterone
Dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate
(DHEAS)
17-Hydroxyprogesterone Steroid Hormone precursor Converted to cortisol
8B. ADRENAL MEDULLA
o Produces hormones collectively called CATECHOLAMINES
Chromaffin cells Epinephrine (Adrenaline) Aromatic amines Sympathetic receptors Both: Enhance effects of sympathetic
Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) Liver and muscle, adipose division of the autonomic nervous system
tissues during stress
Epinephrine: Glycogenolysis & Lipolysis
9. TESTIS
Testosterone Steroid Male accessory sex organs Stimulates descent of testes before birth
Regulates production of sperm
Development of secondary sex
characteristics such as beard growth and
deepening of the voice
Inhibin Peptide Anterior pituitary, Inhibits FSH secretion
hypothalamus
10. OVARY
Estrogen Phenolic steroid Female accessory Development of secondary sex
sex organs characteristics
Bone Control of skeletal maturation
Progesterone Steroid Female accessory Preparation of the uterus for ovum
reproductive structures implantation; Maintenance of pregnancy
Inhibin Peptide Hypothalamus Inhibits FSH secretion
11. PLACENTA
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Glycoprotein Ovary Same as LH; Prolongation of corpus luteal
(hCG) function
*Note: Increased concentration is the
parameter used for positive results of
commercially available PREGNANCY
TEST KITS