The Endocrine System

The endocrine glands secretes chemical mediators called hormones that regulates growth and
development, metabolism, reproduction, stress response, body and tissue fluid and electrolyte balance.
Endocrinology- branch of physiology that deals with the coordination of various body tissues by chemical
mediators.
Hormone- chemical substance produced by endocrine glands that are carried by the circulation to the target
organs. Hormones may be classified as simple proteins, glycoproteins and steroid but they all have common
characteristics and functions:
➢ Hormones appear to regulate rather than initiate reactions
➢ Hormones are effective in biocatalytic amounts
➢ Hormones are not secreted in uniform rates
➢ Hormones are inactivated rapidly either at the site where it exerts its effect or at some other glands and
organs; and
➢ Hormones are transported through the circulatory system or blood stream

1. The Pituitary gland or Hypophysis

- Also known as hypophysis cerebri and is located at the base of the brain.
Consist of the following:
• Anterior Lobe (adenophypophysis)- it has a projections known as pars tuberalis that extends
along the front of the pituitary stalk to the brain.

Adenophypophysis secretes the following hormones:

a. Somatotropic Hormone or Growth Hormone (STH/GH)- promotes growth of the long bones before the
epiphyseal-diaphyseal plate is fused together in adulthood.
Gigantism- over secretion of STH that happens before adulthood
Acromegaly- when this happens after adulthood
Dwarfism- occurs when there is a deficiency of STH during growth
Development

b. Adrenocoticotropic hormone (ACTH)- stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids such as
cortisol, costisone and corticosterone.

c. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

- stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones

d. Prolactin or Luteotropic Hormone (LTH)- stimulates milk secretion in lactating mammary gland

e. Follicle- Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- stimulates the ovary to produce graafian follicle, in the male it
maintais the integrity or the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
f. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)- stimulates ovulation in maturing graafian follicle and the formation of corpus
Luteum in ovulated follicle as well as the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum. In the male,
it stimulates the cells of leydig or interstitial cells to produce testosterone , a male sex hormone.

• Posterior lobe (pars nervosa or neuro- hypophysis)- are largely made up of special neuroglial
cells (Pituicytes) and nerves fibers derived from nerve cells in hypothalamic nuclei.

Hormones:
a. Oxytocin- stimulates milk-ejection in lactating females
b. Vasopresin or Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)- this is important in conserving body water by
reducing urine formation.

2. Adrenals
- Also known as suprarenal glands in man
- It is located close to the kidney
- Each adrenal gland consists of:
Outer zone (the cortex)
Inner zone (the medulla)

Hormones of the Adrenal cortex:

Hormone Principal Action
Glucocorticoids Stimulate conversion of protein to carbohydrates for
energy (Glucogenesis)
Mineralocorticoids Regulates Na-K metabolism; control electrolytes and
Water

Hormones of Adrenal Medula:

Hormone Principal Action
Epinephrine Augment sympathetic nervous system
Norepinephrine Preparation for emergency; mobilization of energy

3. Thyroid

- This gland os located at the neck area just below the Larynx. There are also 2 lobes of thyroid
connected to each other by a bridge of tissue called Isthmus.
- This maintains the level of metabolism in the tissues that is optimal for their normal function.
 Hormones of Thyroid:
Hormone Principal Action
Thyroxine (T4) Increases the basal metabolic rate of an individual
Calcitonin Regulates calcium metabolism

Lack of Thyroid Hormone (Hypothyroidism) causes:

1. Dwarfism condition (cretinism)
2. Delayed puberty
3. Irregular estrus
4. Decreased fertility in females
5. Decreased spermatogenesis, testicular growth and semen quality

Excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) causes:

1. Increase metabolic rate
2. Loss of weight with normal or increased appetite
3. Irritability
4. Nervousness
5. Protussion of the eyeball (exophthalmos) in man
Goiter- enlargement of the thyroid gland due to a deficiency of iodine in the diet and certain drugs such as
sufonamides and vegetables containing compounds called goitrogens or antithyroid compounds. Iodine is an
important component of thyroxine.
4. Parathyroid
- These are small nodules located within or near the thyroid gland

Hormones of Parathyroid:
Hormone Principal Action
Parathyroid hormone regulates metabolism of Ca and P
In young animals, demineralization of the bones results to Rickets but in adults, it is known as
Osteomalacia. In rickets or Osteomalacia, the amount of mineral accretion in bone per unit of bone matrix, the
condition is known as Osteoporosis. Likewise, these bone disease will also manifest in severe vitamin D
deficiency.
Calcitonin also known as Thyrocalcitonin is a hormone that lowers calcium level in the blood, thus, has
an opposite effect to that of parathyroid hormone which increases calcium level in the blood.
5. Pancreas
- This gland is located at the duodenal lope of the small intestine. It is both an exocrine and endocrine
gland. It functions as exocrine gland when its acinar cells secrete pancreatic juice containing digestive
enzymes. The endocrine function is limited to the cells of the islets of langerhans which is found
throughout the pancreas.

Hormones of Pancreas:
Hormone Principal Action
Insulin prevents diabetes mellitus
Glucagon Increases sugar

Insulin facilitates the transport of glucose from the blood into the cells of the tissues, thus, increasing
glucose utilization by the cells. Insulin excess causes hypoglycaemia, which leads to convulsions and
coma. Insulin deficiency either absolute or relative, causes Diabetes Mellitus, a complex and
debilitating disease that if untreated is eventually fatal. Glucagon deficiency can cause hypoglycaemia
and glucagon excess makes diabetes worse.

6. Gonads
- These are sex glands/organs (ovaries and testes)
Hormones of Gonads:

Hormone Principal Action

Estrogen regulates female secondary sexual characters

and sexual behaviour
Progesterone Maintains pregnancy and prepares mammary
gland for lactation
Androgen regulates male secondary sexual characters
and sexual behaviour
Chorionic gonadotropin Maintains normal pregnancy

End of the lesson. Keep up the good work!