GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION

PITUITARY (Anterior) GROWTH HORMONE (GH) Promotes growth of body

tissues; Increases gene
expression, breakdown of lipids,
and release of fatty acids from
cells; Increases blood glucose
levels

PITUITARY (Anterior) PROLACTIN (PRL) Promotes milk production and

prolongs progesterone secretion
following ovulation and during
pregnancy in women; Increases
sensitivity to LH in males

PITUITARY (Anterior) THYROID-STIMULATING Stimulates thyroid hormone

HORMONE (TSH) release (Thyroxine and
Triiodothyronine)

PITUITARY (Anterior) ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC Stimulates hormone release by

HORMONE (ACTH) adrenal cortex; Increases skin
pigmentation of high
concentrations

PITUITARY (Anterior) LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH) or Promotes ovulation and

INTERSTITIAL CELL- progesterone production in
STIMULATING HORMONE ovary; Promotes testosterone
(ICSH) synthesis and support for sperm
cell production in testis

PITUITARY (Anterior) FOLLICLE-STIMULATING Promotes follicle maturation and

HORMONE (FSH) estrogen secretion in ovary;
Promotes sperm cell production
in testis

PITUITARY (Anterior) MELANOCYT-STIMULATING Increases melanin production in

HORMONE (MSH) melanocytes to make skin
darker in color

PITUITARY (Posterior) ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE Stimulates water reabsorption

(ADH) by kidneys; Constricts blood
vessels

PITUITARY (Posterior) OXYTOCIN Stimulates uterine contractions

during childbirth; Increases milk
letdown from mammary glands

THYROID THYROXINE (T4), Increases metabolic rates,

TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) essential for normal process of
growth and maturation

THYROID CALCITONIN Decreases rate of bone

breakdown; Prevents large
increase in blood Ca2+ levels
following a meal
 GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION

PARATHYROID PARATHYROID HORMONE Increases rate of bone

(PTH) breakdown by osteoclasts;
Increases Vitamin D synthesis,
essential for maintenance of
normal blood calcium levels

ADRENAL (CORTEX) MINERALOCORTICOIDS Increases rate of Sodium

(ALDOSTERONE) transport into body; Increase
rate of potassium excretion;
Secondarily favor water retention

ADRENAL (CORTEX) GLUCOCORTICOIDS

Increases blood glucose levels
(CORTISOL, from amino acids; Increase lipid
CORTICOSTERONE, and protein breakdown; Increase
CORTISONE) blood nutrient levels; Inhibit
inflammation and immune
response

ADRENAL (CORTEX) ADRENAL ANDROGENS Insignificant in males; Increase

female sexual drive, growth of
pubic and axillary hair

ADRENAL (MEDULLA) EPINEPHRINE (mostly), (some) Stimulate fight-or-flight

NOREPINEPHRINE response; Increases cardiac
output; Increases blood flow to
skeletal muscles and heart;
Increase release of glucose and
fatty acids into blood; in general
prepares body for physical
activity

PINEAL MELATONIN Regulates sleep cycles; Inhibits

secretion of gonadotropin-
releasing hormone, thereby
inhibiting reproduction

PANCREAS INSULIN Increases uptake and use of

glucose and amino acids

PANCREAS GLUCAGON Increases breakdown of

glycogen and release of glucose
into the circulatory system

TESTES TESTOSTERONE Stimulates development of male

secondary sex characteristics;
aids in maintenance of functional
reproductive organs and sperm
production

OVARIES ESTROGENS, PROGESTERONE Stimulate development of female

secondary sex characteristics
and prepare the body for
childbirth; Sexual behavior,
menstrual cycle
 GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION

UTERUS, OVARIES, INFLAMED PROSTAGLANDINS Mediate inflammatory

TISSUES responses; increase uterine
contraction and ovulation

THYMUS THYMOSIN Promotes immune system

development and function