Endocrine System –Hormones
Gland/hormone
Function
Dysfunction/Disorders
Chemical
Composition
Anterior Pituitary
Growth Hormone (GH)
(somatotropism)
Stimulates the growth of all organs in the
body, mobilizes food molecules increasing
the blood glucose concentration
Hypersecretion results in gigantism
and acromegaly
Protein
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Stimulates synthesis and dispersion of the
pigment melanin in the skin
Hyposecretion results in the darkening
of the skin
Protein
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Stimulates secretion of adrenal cortex
hormones
Hypersecretion or hyposecretion of
adrenal cortex
Polypeptide
Follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH)
Males: Stimulates production and growth
of sperm in seminiferous tubules of testes
Female: Stimulates development of
follicles in ovaries and secretion of
estrogen
Hyposecretion inhibits sexual
development and causes sterility
Glycoprotein
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Males: stimulates secretion of testosterone
by the interstitial cells of the testes
Female: Stimulates the secretion of
estrogen stimulates maturation of ovarian
follicle and ovum, ,triggers ovulation, and
stimulates the development of the corpus
luteum or lutenization
Hyposecretion inhibits sexual
development and causes sterility
Glycoprotein
Prolactin
Stimulates breast development during
pregnancy and milk development after
pregnancy
Hypersecretion causes inappropriate
lactation in non-nursing women and in
men.
Hyposecretion causes insufficient
lactation in nursing women
Protein
Posterior Pituitary (synthesized in Hypothalamus but
released in posterior pituitary)
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Stimulates water retention by the kidneys
Hypersecretion results in abnormal
water retention
Hyposecretion causes diabetes
insipidus
Peptide
Oxyotocin
Stimulates uterine contractions at the end
of pregnancy and the release of milk into
the ducts of the breast
Hypersecretion causes inappropriate
ejection of milk in lactating women
Hyposecretion may cause prolonged or
difficult labor and delivery
Peptide
