v If max.
set point is exceeded
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Principles of Chemical Communication
Chemical messengers – allow cells to communicate with
each other
Secretion – controlled release of chemicals from a cell
Classes of Chemical Messengers
1. Autocrine – stimulates the cell that originally
secreted it; WBCs during an infection
2. Paracrine – act locally on nearby cells; WBCs
during allergic reactions
3. Neurotransmitter – activate an adjacent cell
4. Endocrine – secreted into the bloodstream by
certain glands and cells
Functions of the Endocrine System (MC3 I2WHUT)
1. Metabolism.
2. Control of blood glucose and other nutrients.
3. Control of reproductive functions.
4. Control of food intake and digestion.
5. Ion regulation.
6. Immune system regulation.
7. Water balance.
8. Heart rate and blood pressure regulation.
9. Uterine contraction and milk release.
10. Tissue development.
Characteristics of the Endocrine System
Endocrine System – composed of endocrine glands +
endocrine specialized cells
Hormones – chemical messenger that is secreted into the
blood
Target tissues – effectors; specific site
Endocrine – Greek word; endo (within) + krino (secrete)
Exocrine glands – have ducts that carry their secretions
to the outside of the body
Endocrinology – study of the endocrine system
Hormones
§ Greek word; hormone (to set into motion)
Chemical Nature of Hormones
1. Lipid-Soluble
2. Water-Soluble
Control of Hormone Secretion
Stimulation/Inhibition of Hormone Release
1. Humoral Stimuli – blood levels of chemicals
2. Neural Stimuli – nervous system
3. Hormonal Stimuli - hormones
Regulation of Hormone Levels in the Blood
A. Negative feedback
v Blood conc. of hormone declines
v More hormone is secreted
v Hormone production is halted
B. Positive feedback
v Tropic hormones stimulate the release
of other hormones
Hormone Receptors and Mechanisms of Action
Receptors – where hormones exert action by binding to
proteins
Receptor site – the portion of each receptor molecule
where a hormone binds
Specificity – tendency of hormones to bind to one type
of receptor
Target tissue – the responding tissue based on the
hormone released
Classes of Receptors
1. LSH bind to nuclear receptors.
v Interaction with cell DNA to regulate
transcription.
2. WSH bind to membrane bound receptors.
v Hormone receptor complex initiates a
response inside the cell (G proteins,
cAMP, protein kinase).
Endocrine Glands and their Hormones
Pituitary and Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland/Hypophysis
§ A small gland about the size of a pea
§ Controls the functions of many other glands
§ Secrets hormones that influence growth, kidney
function, birth, milk prod.
Hypothalamus
§ An important ANS and endocrine control center
of the brain
§ Controls the PG by hormonal control and direct
innervation
Infundibulum – a stalk that connects the pituitary gland
and the hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary – made up of epithelial cells derived
from embryonic oral cavity
Posterior pituitary – an extension of the brain;
composed of nerve cells
Hormonal Control of A. Pituitary
Hypothalamic-pituitary portal system – capillary beds
and veins that transport the releasing and inhibiting
hormones
M o r a n o , M . A .
ANTERIOR PITUITARY THYROID GLAND
1. Growth hormone (GH) 1. Calcitonin
§ Affects body growth by stimulating protein § Decreases rate of bone breakdown
synthesis by increasing gene expression § Prevents large increase in blood Ca2+ levels
§ Breakdown of lipids
§ Release of fatty acids from cells 2. Thyroid hormones
§ Increases blood glucose levels § Increases metabolic rates
§ Essential for normal process of growth
Pituitary dwarf – deficiency in GH although
normally proportioned Thyroxine / Tetraiodothyronine - contains four
iodine atoms
Gigantism – excess GH; exaggerated bone
growth occurs Triiodothyronine – contains three iodine atoms

Acromegaly – abnormally large facial features & Isthmus – narrow band that connects the two
hands lobes of the thyroid gland

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) Thyroid follicles – where thyroid hormones are
synthesized and stored
2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
§ Promotes synthesis and secretion of thyroid Goiter – excess TSH; low in iodine diet
hormone
Hypothyroidism – lack of thyroid hormones
3. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
§ Increases secretion of glucocorticoid hormones Cretinism – congenital absence of thyroxine in
§ Increases skin pigmentation infants

4. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) Myxedema – accumulation of fluid and other

§ Increases melanin prod. in melanocytes molecules in subcutaneous tissue in adults

5. Luteinizing hormone (LH) Hyperthyroidism – elevated rate of thyroid

§ Promotes ovulation and progesterone hormone secretion
production on ovary
Graves disease – hyperthyroidism that results
Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) when the immune system produces abnormal
§ Promotes testosterone synthesis and support for proteins
sperm cell prod. in testis
Exophthalmia – bulging of the eyes
6. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
§ Promotes follicle maturation and
secretion in ovary
estrogen PARATHYROID GLAND
§ Promotes sperm cell prod. in testis 1. Parathyroid hormone
§ Increase Ca+ levels in the blood
7. Prolactin § Increases rate of bone breakdown by osteoclasts
§ Promote development of breast during § Increases vit. D synthesis (essential for
pregnancy maintenance of normal blood calcium levels)
§ Stimulates milk prod. and prolongs
progesterone secretion Hyperparathyroidism (Hypercalcemia) –
§ Increases sensitivity to LH in males abnormally high rate of PTH secretion
Ø Tumor
Ø Muscle weakness
PITUITARY GLAND Ø Soft, easily deformed bones
1. Antidiuretic hormone Ø Prone to kidney stone formation
§ Conserves water
§ Constricts blood vessels Hypoparathyroidism (Hypocalcemia) –
abnormally low rate of PTH; surgery
§ Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
Ø Surgery
§ Diabetes Inspidus – large prod. of dilute urine
Ø Frequent muscle cramps or tetanus
2. Oxytocin Ø Respiratory arrest
§ Swift birth Ø CHVOSTEK’s sign & TROSSEAU sign
§ Increases uterine contractions
§ Increases milk letdown

M o r a n o , M . A .
ADRENAL MEDULLA PANCREAS
1. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) & Norepinephrine 1. Insulin
§ Fight-or-flight hormones § Secreted by beta cells
§ Increases cardiac output § Increases uptake and use of glucose and amino
§ Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles & heart acids
§ Increases release of glucose and fatty acids into § Released in response to elevated blood glucose
blood level & parasympathetic stimulation
§ Prepares body for physical activity
2. Glucagon
§ Secreted by alpha cells
ADRENAL CORTEX § Increases breakdown of glycogen and release of
1. Aldosterone (Mineralocorticoids) glucose into the circulatory system
§ Regulates water balance § Released in response to low blood glucose level
§ Increases rate of Na transport into body
§ Increase rate of K excretion Glycogen – stored glucose in muscles & liver

Renin – protein molecule that acts as an enzyme Acidosis – reduced pH of body fluids

Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System Satiety center – area of the hypothalamus that
(RAAS) – helps the body to address decreasing controls apetite
blood volume
Diabetes mellitus – much urine + sweetened
2. Cortisol (Glucocorticoids) v Type 1 – occurs when too little insulin is
§ Increase fat & protein breakdown secreted from pancreas
§ Increase glucose synthesis from amino acids v Type 2 – caused by insufficient no. of
§ Increase blood nutrient levels insulin receptors
§ Inhibit inflammation & immune response
Hyperglycemia – high blood glucose levels
§ Helps the body in stressful situations by
providing energy sources
Polyphagia – increased appetite/eating
Cortisone – artificial cortisol; anti-inflammatory
Polyuria – increased eating
effect
Polydipsia – excessive thirst
3. Androgens
§ Male sex hormone; stimulates the dev’t of male

§
characteristics
Increases female sex drive
TESTES
1. Testosterone
Addison’s disease – hyposecretion of adrenal § Aids in sperm cell prod.
cortex hormones § Maintenance of functional reproductive organs,
secondary sexual characteristics, sexual behavior
Cushing’s disease – tumor in middle cortex

Hyperaldosteronism – hyperactivity of outer OVARIES

cortex 1. Estrogen & Progesterone
§ Aid in uterine and mammary gland
Hirsutism – masculinization (inner cortex) development and function, external genitalia
structure, secondary sexual characteristics,
sexual behavior, menstrual cycle
THYMUS
1. Thymosin 2. Prostaglandins
§ Promotes immune system development and § Mediate inflammatory responses
function § Increase uterine contractions and ovulations
§ Helps the dev’t of certain WBC (T-cells)
OTHER HORMONES
PINEAL GLAND 1. Erythropoietin
1. Melatonin § Acts on bone marrow to increase the prod. of
§ Inhibits secretion of gonadotropin-releasing RBCs
hormone (thus inhibits reproduction)
§ Biological clock (day & night cycle) 2. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Stimulated prod. of estrogen & progesterone

M o r a n o , M . A .