Human Physiology

Lesson 36 : General Endocrine System

Major Functions of Hormones

Hormones in general are essential for regulation of various physiological and metabolic functions. Some important functions are listed below:

S. No.	Hormone	Chemical nature	Gland	Functions
1.	Growth Hormone	Protein	Anterior Pituitary	Growth
2.	Prolactin	Protein	Anterior Pituitary	Milk synthesis
3.	FSH and LH	Glycoprotein	Anterior Pituitary	Development of reproductive organs
4.	TSH	Glycoprotein	Anterior Pituitary	Thyroid growth & stimulation
5.	ACTH	Peptide	Anterior Pituitary	Adrenal cortex growth & stimulation
	Vasopressin	Peptide	Post pituitary	Water Homeostasis
	Oxytocin	Peptide	Post pituitary	Milk ejection and parturition
	Melatonin	Amino acid derivative	Pineal	Sleep, day-night cycle activities
6.	Thyroxine	Amino acid derivative	Thyroid	Energy production and thermoregulation
7.	Parathyroid hormone Thyro- calcitonin	Protein	Parathyroid Thyroid	Blood calcium concentration
8.	Insulin Glucagon	Protein	Pancreas	Blood glucose concentration
9.	Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)	Steroid	Adrenal cortex	Glucose, protein & fat metabolism
10.	Aldosterone	Steroid	Adrenal cortex	Electrolyte Homeostasis
13.	Estrogen and Progesterone	Steroid	Ovary	Female reproduction process
14.	Testosterone	Steroid	Testis	Male reproduction process
15.	Estrogen and Progesterone	Steroid	Ovary and Placenta	Maintenance of Pregnancy
16.	Relaxin, Oxytocin	Peptide	Placenta & Ovary	Parturition
18.	Adrenalin and nor-adrenalin	Amino acid derivative	Adrenal medulla	Increase blood pressure, cardiac pumping of blood, glucose synthesis
19.	Renin	Peptide	Kidneys	Increase blood pressure