Physiology: Animal Function and ReproductionEndocrine System |
What are some vertebrate endocrine glands and their hormones? |
Epinephrine and norephinephrine are released by the adrenal glands in times of stress. The familiar feelings of a pounding, racing heart, increased respiration, elevated blood pressure, and goosebumps on the skin are responses to stressful circumstances.
Vertebrates have ten major endocrine glands. The following lists those glands, their target tissues, and their principal function in the body:
Endocrine gland; hormone |
Target tissue |
Principal function |
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Posterior pituitary |
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Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) |
Kidneys |
Stimulates water reabsorption by kidneys |
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Oxytocin |
Uterus, mammary glands |
Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection |
Anterior pituitary |
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Growth hormone (GH) |
General |
Stimulates growth, especially cell division and bone growth |
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Adrenocorticotropichormone (ACTH) |
Adrenal cortex |
Stimulates adrenal cortex |
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Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) |
Thyroid gland |
Stimulates thyroid |
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Luteinizing hormone (LH) |
Gonads |
Stimulates ovaries and testes |
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Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) |
Gonads |
Controls egg and sperm production |
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Prolactin (PRL) |
Mammary glands |
Stimulates milk production |
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Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) |
Skin |
Regulates skin color in reptiles and amphibians; unknown function in humans |
Thyroid |
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Calcitonin |
Bone |
Lowers blood calcium level |
Parathyroid |
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Parathyroid hormone (PTH) |
Bone, kidneys, digestive tract |
Raises blood calcium level |
Adrenal medulla |
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Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) |
Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, blood vessels |
Initiates stress responses; raises heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic rates; constricts certain blood vessels |
Adrenal cortex |
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Aldosterone |
Kidney tubules |
Stimulates kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium |
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Cortisol |
General |
Increases blood glucose |
Pancreas |
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Insulin |
Liver |
Lowers blood glucose level; stimulates formation and storage of glycogen |
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Glucagon |
Liver, adipose tissue |
Raises blood glucose level |
Ovary |
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Estrogens |
General; female Stimulates development of reproductive structures |
secondary sex characteristics in females and uterine lining |
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Progesterone |
Uterus, breasts |
Promotes growth of uterine lining; stimulates breast development |
Testes |
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Androgens (testosterone) |
General; male reproductive structures |
Stimulates development of male sex organs and spermatogenesis |
Pineal gland |
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Melatonin |
Gonads, pigment cells |
Involved in daily and seasonal rhythmic activities (circadian cycles); influences pigmentation in some species |