Endocrine gland/ Hormone Target organ or Major function is control

source of tissue of:-

hormone

Hypothalamus Numerous releasing Pituitary gland Hormones release by

factors pituitary

Anterior pituitary ACTH Adrenal cortex Cortisol secretion

(adenohypophysis) (adrenocorticotrophic
hormone)

FSH Ovaries / testes Ovarian follicle growth,

(tubules) oestrogen secretion /
(follicle stimulating spermatogenesis
hormone)

LH Ovaries / testes (Leydig Ovulation, luteinization of

cells) follicle / testosterone
(luteinizing hormone) secretion

GH All tissues Growth; carbohydrate,

protein and fat metabolism
(growth hormone)

TSH Thyroid gland Thyroxine secretion

(thyroid stimulating
hormone)

Prolactin Mammary gland Milk secretion (stimulates)

Posterior pituitary ADH Kidney tubules Water excretion

(neurohypophysis) (antidiuretic hormone) Smooth muscle in Blood pressure

arterioles

Oxytocin Uterine smooth muscle Uterine contractions

Mammary gland Milk ‘let-down’

Pineal gland Melatonin Various tissues Circadian rhythm;

reproduction

Thyroid Thyroxine (T4) Most tissues Metabolic rate;

Triiodothyronine (T3) growth and development

Calcitonin Bone Plasma calcium and

phosphate (lowers)

Parathyroids PTH Bone, kidneys, Plasma calcium and

intestine phosphate (elevates)
(parathyroid hormone)

Thymus Thymopoetin T-lymphocyte cells in Immune responses

blood
(regresses in
adulthood)

Pancreas Insulin Most tissues, notably Glucose utilization;

muscle and liver
(islet cells) (from beta cells) blood glucose (lowers)

Glucagon Primarily liver Blood glucose (elevates)

(from alpha cells)

Intestinal mucosa Gastrin Stomach Acid secretion

Secretin Pancreas Digestive secretions

Cholecystokinin Gallbladder Release of bile

Somatostatin Intestine Acid and intestinal

secretions (inhibits)

Adrenal medulla Adrenaline All tissues Metabolism; heart rate and

output; response to stress
Noradrenaline and exercise

Adrenal cortex Cortisol All tissues Metabolism; response to

stress and exercise
Corticosterone

Aldosterone Primarily kidneys Sodium, potassium and pH

balance

Kidneys Renin (converted to Blood vessel smooth Blood pressure

Angiotensin-II) muscle
Aldosterone secretion
Adrenal cortex

Ovaries Oestrogens Reproductive organs Reproductive

development; also has
effects on oestrus
behaviour

Progesterone Uterus Uterine condition

(from corpus luteum)

Uterus Prostaglandin Corpus luteum Breakdown of corpus

luteum
(PGF2?)
(luteolysis)

Placenta Progesterone and Corpus luteum Maintenance of pregnancy

oestrogens
(in pregnant mare)
eCG (Equine chorionic Ovaries Maintenance of pregnancy
gonadotrophin, PMSG)

Relaxin Uterus Uterine contraction

(inhibits)
Cervix, pelvic
ligaments Increase in distensibility
 Testes Testosterone Reproductive organs Reproductive
development; also has
effects on behaviour

Return to main text