Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: ANI SCI 1- 2ND SEM-2020-2021

College: Agriculture
Campus : Bayombong

DEGREE PROGRAM BSAB COURSE NO. ANI SCI 1

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Introduction to Animal Science
ANI SCI 1
YEAR LEVEL 1 TIME FRAME 2 WK NO. 4 IM NO. ND
2 -2020-2021

Topic 4. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

4.1. Functions

 The main function of endocrine glands is to produce a chemical substance/ messengers called hormone. These
hormones are carried by the circulation (blood) to a target organ.
 Hormones are chemical substances that affect the activity of another part of the body (target site). In essence,
hormones serve as messengers, controlling and coordinating activities throughout the body.
 Upon reaching a target site, a hormone binds to a receptor, much like a key fits into a lock. Once the hormone
locks into its receptor, it transmits a message that causes the target site to take a specific action. Hormone
receptors may be within the nucleus or on the surface of the cell.

4.2. Glands Involved in the Endocrine System and Hormones Produced

1) Hypothalamus

 The part of the brain that maintains homeostasis (constant internal conditions) by regulating the internal
environment. The hypothalamus produces hormones that travel in blood vessels to the anterior pituitary,
stimulating it to produce other hormones.
 The blood vessel that carries hypothalamic-releasing hormones from the hypothalamus to the pituitary is called
a portal vein.

2) Pituitary gland/ Hypophysis

 Controls other glands and is often referred to as the "master gland".

 Located at the base of the brain

Anterior Lobe

a. Growth Hormone (GH) or Somatotropic Hormone (STH)

 Stimulates the growth of all body cells that can grow and is particularly effective in bone and muscle tissue.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: ANI SCI 1- 2ND SEM-2020-2021

 Excess GH secretion in the immature animal cause excessive growth, producing a giant individual, a condition
called giantism and deficiency causes dwarfism. In mature animas, since the epiphyseal plates have closed,
extremities enlarge in diameter but not in length, a condition called acromegaly.

b. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or Corticotropin

 Targets the adrenal gland

 Stimulates the release of adrenaline or epinephrine

c. Prolactin

 Targets the mammary glands

 Stimulates and sustain milk production
 Responsible in broodiness in hens
 Essential in the maintenance of the corpus luteum and its production of progesterone

d. Leutenizing Hormone (LH)

 Stimulates the testes to produce several kinds of steroid hormones called androgens. One of these androgens
is testosterone, the main male sex hormone. It also stimulates the ovaries to
produce estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones.
 Sex hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics, which develop at puberty.

e. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

 controls gamete (egg or sperm) production. It stimulates the development and ovulation of ovarian follicles in
females and gametogenesis in the testes.

f. Thyroid stimulating hormone

 Targets the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine hormone
 Control of thyroid hormone secretion depends largely on TSH. It functions by means of typical feedback
mechanism, in which a low level of circulating thyroxin stimulates release of TSH, and a high level of circulating
thyroxin inhibits the release of TSH.

Intermediate Lobe
a. Melanocyte – Stimulating Hormone (MSH) or Intermedin

 stimulates the production and release of melanin (a process referred to as melanogenesis) by melanocytes in
skin and hair.
 Melanin induces skin color changes in amphibians and reptiles

Posterior Lobe

a. Oxytocin or Pitocin

 Targets the uterus and mammary gland

 It stimulates contraction of smooth muscles in the uterus (myometrium) during parturition, the alveoli of the
mammary glands for “milk letdown” or ejection at lactation and the smooth muscles of the urinary bladder
during urination.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: ANI SCI 1- 2ND SEM-2020-2021

b. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) or Vassopresin

 Targets the kidneys and smooth muscles of arteries

 Controls the amount of water in the blood by increasing the permeability of the distal convoluted and collecting
tubules of the nephron, thereby increasing water reabsorption.
 It causes contraction of the smooth muscles of arteries, thus raising blood pressure especially during
hemorrhage, hence called vasopressin.
 Lack of ADH produces a disease called Diabetes insipidus, characterized by excess loss of fluid, coupled with Na
retention.

3. Thyroid Gland

 Consist of two lobes near the thyroid cartilage of the larynx one lobe is found on each side of the larynx.

a. Thyroxin (T4)

 Hormone that regulates metabolic rate.

 Have an important role in growth and development
 Require iodine as an essential part of the molecule in order to be biologically active.
 Lack of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) in young animals causes a cretinism. Hypothyroidism interferes with
the metabolism of CHO, fats, proteins and electrolytes. In adults, results in lowered metabolism, lethargy, hair
loss, and tendency to gain weight.
 Excess thyroxin (hyperthyroidism) is associated with increased metabolic rate, loss of weight with a normal or
increased appetite, irritability or nervousness.

b. Calcitonin

 Targets the bone

 Lowers blood Ca level by suppressing bone resorption thereby decreasing the release of Ca from bone to the
blood, which is opposite to that of parathyroid hormone.

4. Parathyroid Gland

 Secretes parathyroid hormone that elevates blood Ca level by stimulating bone and Ca resorption
 Bone tissue acts as a storage reservoir for calcium; PTH stimulates the removal of calcium from the bone to increase
levels in the blood. PTH also increases the kidney’s reabsorption of Ca++ so that less is lost in urine and it activates
vitamin D which enhances Ca++ absorption from food in the gut.

5. Adrenal Gland

Adrenal cortex

 The outer layer of the adrenal gland

a. Glucocorticoids

 includes cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone which are produced in response to stress. They are involved in
making glucose for cellular metabolism.

 Cortisol raises the level of glucose in the blood by stimulating the liver to produce glucose from stored non-
carbohydrate sources such as proteins and lipids and to release it into the blood.

b. Mineralocorticoid

 This includes hormones with electrolytic activity. They are involved in maintaining the level of water and
certain minerals in the blood.
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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: ANI SCI 1- 2ND SEM-2020-2021

 Aldosterone, acts primarily to promote absorption of sodium and excretion of potassium. Increased sodium
levels contributes to the retention of water and thus increased blood volume. In the absence of aldosterone,
sodium is excreted and the lower sodium levels result in decreased blood volume and lower blood pressure.

Adrenal Medulla

 Is composed of modified neurons that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline)
under conditions of stress.

a. Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
 These hormones are released in response to a variety of stresses and stimulate the “fight- or- flight” response
of the sympathetic nervous system. It results in a faster heart rate, faster blood flow, and dilated airways to
facilitate oxygen flow to the lungs. In addition, the level of glucose in the blood is increased to make energy
more available.

b. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)

 Helps maintain tone of the vascular system (smooth muscles of vessel walls)
 Important in the maintenance of blood pressure.

6. Gonads

Testes Hypothalamus

a. Testosterone – it stimulates the male sex drive (libido) and development of the male
secondary sex characteristics. GnRH
(Gonadotropin
Releasing Hormone)
Ovaries

a. Estrogen – Stimulates the female sex drive and the development of the female Pituitary
secondary sex characteristics.

b. Relaxin – Relaxes the pelvic cavity for easy parturition. FSH LH

c. Progesterone – otherwise called the pregnancy hormone. It is essential for the

maintenance of pregnancy. It also prepares the uterus for forth Gonads
coming pregnancy.
7. Pancreas
gametes Sex hormones
 This gland is located in the duodenal loop of the small intestine. It is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland.
 It functions as an exocrine gland when it secretes pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes into the duodenum
through the pancreatic duct.
 It functions as endocrine gland when its Islets of Langerhans are groups of cells within the pancreas that
secrete insulin and glucagon.

a. Insulin

Muscles, adipose tissues


Lowers blood sugar level

 Produced by the beta cells, which is necessary to prevent diabetes mellitus. The most obvious effect of
insulin shortage is the sharp rise in blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Insulin promotes the removal of glucose
from the blood for storage as glycogen in the muscle and liver, fats (fat cells), and protein. It promotes the
buildup of fats and proteins and inhibits their use as an energy source.
b. Glucagon

 Produced by the alpha cells. The effects of glucagon are opposite those of insulin. It raises the level of
glucose in the blood.
 It is normally secreted between meals to maintain the concentration of glucose in the blood.

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