Effector Hormones:

 

 

 

 

Hormone Name

Source (location of cell which produces the hormone)

Chemical Structure

Target Tissue and Primary Effect

 

 

 

 

Vasopressin

(AVP or ADH)

Magnocellular cells in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus

peptide

Kidney: water resorption.

Blood vessels: vasoconstriction

 

 

 

 

Oxytocin

(Oxy)

Magnocellular cells in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus

peptide

Mammary gland: milk ejection.

Uterus: contractions during childbirth

 

 

 

 

Growth Hormone

(GH)

somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary

protein

Throughout body: supports growth

 

 

 

 

Prolactin (Prl)

lactotrophs of the anterior pituitary

protein

Mammary gland: supports milk production

 

 

 

 

Beta-endorphin

corticotrophs of the anterior pituitary

peptide

Throughout body: endogenous opioid (morphine-like substance); may regulate pain sensitivity

 

 

 

 

Thyroid Hormones—

Tri-iodothyronine (T3),

and Thyroxine (T4)

follicular cells of thyroid gland

tyrosine derivative

Throughout body: increases oxidation rates in tissues

 

 

 

 

Insulin

beta-cells of pancreas

protein

Throughout body (except brain): mediates glucose uptake

 

 

 

 

Cholecystokinin

(CCK)

duodenum of gut

peptide

Gall Bladder: contraction and bile secretion.

Brain (?): may be short-term satiety signal

 

 

 

 

Leptin

adipocytes (fat cells)

peptide

Throughout body: may regulate appetite and fat balance

 

 

 

 

Melatonin

pineal gland

serotonin derivative

Throughout body: regulates seasonal reproductive behavior and maybe puberty onset

 

 

 

 

Adrenaline (epinephrine) and Noradrenaline (norepinephrine

chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla

monoamine

Liver: glycogen breakdown.

Cardiovascular System: increase blood pressure

 

 

 

 

Glucocorticoids (cortisol in humans; corticosterone in birds, reptiles, rats and mice)

adrenal cortex

steroid

Throughout Body: wide range of effects that help protect against physical stress

 

 

 

 

Mineralocorticoids

(aldosterone in humans)

adrenal cortex

steroid

Kidney: increases sodium retention

 

 

 

 

Estrogens—

estradiol (E2), estriol, estrone

follicles of ovary

steroid

Uterus and other female tissue: development and growth; secondary sex characteristics

 

 

 

 

Progesterone

corpora lutea of ovary

steroid

Uterus and other female tissue: development; maintenance of pregnancy

 

 

 

 

Androgens—

testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules of testes

steroid

Male tissue: development and growth; secondary sex characteristics; spermatogenesis