Veterinary Physiology-III

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

• A wide variety of physiological processes are carried out by the endocrine system through chemical messengers called “hormones”.
• The endocrine system consists of many ductless glands which secrete hormones directly into the blood stream. These hormones affect processes like metabolism, sex drive etc.
• N ervous system is wired control system of the body whereas endocrine system is the wireless control system
• A hormone is a specific messenger molecule synthesized and secreted by an endocrine gland or a group of specialized cells. These glands are ductless, which means that their secretions (hormones) are released directly into the blood stream and travel to elsewhere in the body to target organs, upon which they act. This is in contrast to other types of glands in the body such as salivary and sweat glands, which have ducts for carrying the secretions to the points/locations of action.