Anterior Pituitary Hormones

• Hormones, their target locations, and effects on those targets, are outlined

Pituitary Gland

• This gland includes the anterior and posterior pituitary

Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis)

• Growth Hormone (GH) targets most body cells

• GH mobilizes fat for energy

• GH stimulates the liver to release glucose

• GH has a hyperglycemic effect

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) targets the thyroid gland and causes it to release thyroid hormones

• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) targets the adrenal cortex

• ACTH causes the release of cortisol (a glucocorticoid)

• ACTH stimulates the growth and development of the adrenal cortex

• Prolactin (PRL) targets the breasts and stimulates lactation (milk production)

• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) targets the ovaries and testes

• FSH in the ovaries causes follicle maturation and egg production

• FSH in the testes causes sperm production

• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) targets the ovaries

• LH causes ovulation and release of an egg

• LH stimulates progesterone and estrogen production

Posterior Pituitary (Neurohypophysis)

• Oxytocin targets the uterus, causing uterine contraction
• Oxytocin targets the breasts and stimulates milk ejection
• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), or vasopressin, targets the kidneys
• ADH causes water reabsorption, and elevates blood pressure

Thyroid Gland Follicle Cells

• Thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) target generalized areas
• T3 nd T4 increase metabolic rate and enhance energy production

Parafollicular Cells

• Calcitonin targets osseous tissue
• Calcitonin stimulates osteoblasts, lowering blood calcium
• Calcitonin inhibits osteoclasts

Parathyroid Glands

• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) targets osseous tissue
• PTH stimulates osteoclast activity
• PTH targets the intestines, enhancing calcium absorption
• PTH targets the kidneys, decreasing urination of calcium

Adrenal Gland - Adrenal Cortex

• Aldosterone targets the kidneys

• Aldosterone increases sodium levels in the blood

• Aldosterone elevates blood pressure

• Aldosterone regulates minerals (Na, K)

• Cortisol targets generalized areas responding to stress

• Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis in the liver

• Cortisol mobilizes fats for energy

• Cortisol depresses inflammation and immunity

• Androgens target males and females, and increases sexual drive

Adrenal Medulla

• Epinephrine and norepinephrine target the cardiovascular system
• These increase heart rate, cause vasoconstriction, elevating blood pressure
• These cause a generalized sympathetic response

Pancreas - Islets of Langerhans

• Glucagon raises blood sugar and targets the liver

• Glucagon causes the breakdown of glycogen in the liver

• Glucagon increases blood glucose

• Insulin lowers blood sugar and targets most body cells, stimulating them to take up glucose

• Insulin targets the liver, inhibiting glycogen breakdown

Ovaries

• Estrogen stimulates the maturation of the reproductive system, and secondary sex characteristics
• Progesterone enhances the growth of breasts and increases the thickness of the uterine lining

Testes

• Testosterone stimulates the maturation of the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

Pineal Gland

• Melatonin targets the brain
• Melatonin causes tiredness when dark, and regulates circadian rhythms

Thymus

• Thymosins increase T cell immunocompetence

Placenta

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) maintains uterine thickness during pregnancy and elevates progesterone levels

Heart

• Atrial Natriuretic Hormone (ANH or ANP) targets the kidneys, lowering blood pressure and increasing the sodium level in urine

Kidney

• Erythropoietin (EPO) targets bone marrow, increasing the production of RBCs