ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:

FEEDBACK LOOP
Objectives
RECOGNIZE
01 the various physiological parameters, which serve as indicator for the state of health of the
endocrine glands.

UNDERSTAND
02 The different feedback loop systems which maintains the body homeostasis

ASSOCIATE
03 The knowledge acquired on the different disorders involving disruption of the
feedback loop
 Feedback loop
A feedback system or feedback loop, is a cycle of events in which the s
tatus of a body condition is monitored, evaluated, changed, remonitored,
reevaluated, and so on.

Stimulus – any disruption that changes a controlled condition

Receptor – a body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condi

tion and sends input to a control center

Control center – sets a set point in which a controlled condition should

be maintained
 Positive or Negative?
Negative Feedback Systems
• Reverses a change in a controlled condition

Positive Feedback Systems

• Strengthen or reinforce a change in one of
the body’s controlled conditions
Feedback Loop
MAJOR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
FEEDBACK LOOPS

Hypothalamic- Hypothalamic-
Growth hormone
01 feedback loop 02 Pituitary-Thyroid 03 Pituitary-Adrenal
axis
axis
.

Hypothalamic- Hypothalamic- Renin-Angiotensin-

Pituitary-Gonadal Aldosterone
04 Pituitary-Adrenal
axis
05 axis
06 System
Growth
hormone
feedback
loop
Growth hormone feedback loop
• Stimulus for GHRH secretion:
o Hypoglycemia
o Decreased blood levels of fatty acids
o Increased blood levels of amino acids
o Deep sleep
o Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous syste
m
o Stress
o Vigorous physical exercise
o Androgens, Thyroid hormones
 Growth hormone feedback loop

1. GHRH is secreted from the hypothalamus

2. GHRH enters hypophyseal portal system and flows to
anterior pituitary, where it stimulates somatotrophs to
secrete GH
3. GH acts directly on other cells for metabolic reactions
4. Target tissue: Liver – GH is converted into IGF, which
promote growth of bones, skeletal muscle, and other tissues
Negative Feedback System:

Elevated levels of GH and IGF will stimulate the hypothalamus to release GH

IH to inhibit release of GHRH and GH
Hypothalamic-
Pituitary-
Thyroid axis
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid
axis
• Stimuli for TRH secretion:
o Low blood levels of T3 and T4
o Low metabolic rate
o Iodine-deficiency
 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid
axis
1. TRH is secreted by the hypothalamus
2. TRH enters the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system and flows
to the anterior pituitary, where it stimulates thyrotrophs to secrete
TSH
3. TSH stimulates virtually all aspects of thyroid follicular cell activity
4. Thyroid follicular cells release T3 and T4 into the blood until the
metabolic rate returns to normal

Negative Feedback System:

Elevated levels of T3 inhibits release of TRH and TSH

Hypothalamic-
Pituitary-
Adrenal axis
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal
axis
• Stimuli for CRH secretion:
o Low blood levels of glucocorticoids mainly cortisol
 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal
axis
1. CRH is secreted by the hypothalamus
2. CRH enters the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system and flows
to the anterior pituitary, where it stimulates corticotrophs to secrete
ACTH
3. ACTH flows in the blood to the adrenal cortex
4. Adrenal cortex stimulates glucocorticoid secretion

Negative Feedback System:

Elevated levels of glucocorticoids inhibits the release of CRH

Hypothalamic-
Pituitary-
Gonadal axis
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal
axis
• Stimuli for GRH secretion:
o Female: prepare for ovulation and implantation,
menstruation, and acquire secondary sex
characteristics
o Male: acquire secondary sex characteristics
 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal
axis
1. GRH is secreted by the hypothalamus
2. GRH enters the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system and flows
to the anterior pituitary, where it stimulates gonadotrophs to secrete
LH and FSH
3. LH and FSH flows in the blood to the ovaries or testes
4. Ovaries stimulates estrogen and progesterone secretion
Testes stimulates testosterone secretion
Negative Feedback System:

Elevated levels of gonadal hormones promotes inhibin secretion which

inhibits FSH secretion
Renin-
Angiotensin-
Aldosterone
system
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone
system
• Stimuli for renin secretion:
o Dehydration
o Na+ deficiency
o Hemorhhage
o Low blood pressure
o Low blood volume
 Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone
system
1. renin is an enzyme secreted by the kidneys
2. renin flows to the bloodstream, then to the liver where renin is used to
convert angiotensinogen into angiotensin
3. Angiotensin stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone

Negative Feedback System:

Elevated levels of aldosterone in the blood will stimulate the kidneys to

absorb the hormone and to be excreted in the urine
 References:

Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Tortora’s

Principles of Anatomy & Physiology 15th ed. John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Van Putte, Regan, and Russo. (2016). Seeley’s

Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. 9th Ed. USA:
McGraw-Hill.
Questions?

Use the discussion forum under the

Module 8: Endocrine System

or

email me at:

zamora.renzaaron@auf.edu.ph
Thank You!