Posterior pituitary

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Kidneys

Stimulates water reabsorption by kidneys

Oxytocin

Uterus, mammary glands

Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection

Anterior pituitary

Growth hormone (GH)

General

Stimulates growth, especially cell division and bone growth

Adrenocorticotropichormone (ACTH)

Adrenal cortex

Stimulates adrenal cortex

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Thyroid gland

Stimulates thyroid

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Gonads

Stimulates ovaries and testes

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Gonads

Controls egg and sperm production

Prolactin (PRL)

Mammary glands

Stimulates milk production

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Skin

Regulates skin color in reptiles and amphibians; unknown function in humans

Thyroid

Calcitonin

Bone

Lowers blood calcium level

Parathyroid

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Bone, kidneys, digestive tract

Raises blood calcium level

Adrenal medulla

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

Aldosterone

Kidney tubules

Stimulates kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium

Cortisol

General

Increases blood glucose

Pancreas

Insulin

Liver

Lowers blood glucose level; stimulates formation and storage of glycogen

Glucagon

Liver, adipose tissue

Raises blood glucose level

Ovary

Estrogens

General; female Stimulates development of reproductive structures

secondary sex characteristics in females and uterine lining

Progesterone

Uterus, breasts

Promotes growth of uterine lining; stimulates breast development

Testes

Androgens (testosterone)

General; male reproductive structures

Stimulates development of male sex organs and spermatogenesis

Pineal gland