All Hormones

Growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin

Secreted by the anterior pituitary; protein; increased growth in tissues; increased amino acid uptake and protein synthesis; increased breakdown of lipids and release of fatty acids from cells; increased glycogen synthesis and increased blood glucose levels; increased somatomedin production;

Oxytocin

Secreted by the posterior pituitary; polypeptide; causes contraction of the smooth muscle cells of the uterus and milk ejection

ADH (Anti-diuretic hormone)

Secreted by the posterior pituitary; polypeptide; increases water reabsorption by kidney tubules which results in less water loss from the blood into the urine, and urine volume increases; when secreted in large amounts it can cause the constriction of blood vessels;

Leptin

decrease in appetite and increases in metabolism

Glucagon

secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas; polypeptide; increased breakdown of glycogen; release of glucose into the circulatory system

Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH) (somatostatin)

secreted by multiple locations in the body; peptide; inhibits the secretion of GH;

Melatonin

secreted by the Pineal Gland; amino acid; circadian rhythm;

Epinephrine/Norepinephrine

secreted by the adrenal medulla; amine; increased cardiac output

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

secreted by the anterior pituitary; glycoprotein; follicle maturation and estrogen secretion in ovaries; sperm cell production in testes

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

secreted by the anterior pituitary; glycoprotein; increased thyroid hormone secretion

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by the anterior pituitary; glycoprotein; ovulation and progesterone production in ovaries; testosterone synthesis and support for sperm cell production in testes

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

secreted by the anterior pituitary; peptide; increased glucocorticoid hormone secretion

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

secreted by the anterior pituitary; peptide; increased melanin production in melanocytes to make the skin darker in color

Prolactin

secreted by the anterior pituitary; protein; milk production in lactating women; increased response of follicle to LH and FSH; unclear function in males;

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (somatoliberin)

secreted by the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus; peptide; stimulates the secretion of GH

Insulin

secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas; protein; increased uptake and use of glucose and amino acids;

Orexin

secreted by the hypothalamus; peptide; increased wakefulness and energy expenditure, increased appetite;

Angiotensinogen

secreted by the liver;peptide;vasoconstriction

Progesterone

secreted by the ovary; steroid; uterine and mammary gland development and function; maturation of genitalia; secondary sex characteristics; menstrual cycle

Estrogens

secreted by the ovary; steroid; uterine and mammary gland development and function; maturation of genitalia; secondary sex characteristics; sexual behavior and menstrual cycle

Calcitonin

secreted by the parafollicular cells in the thyroid gland; peptide; reduces the blood calcium levels

Parathyroid Hormone

secreted by the parathyroid gland; peptide; Increases blood calcium levels and increases calcium levels. It also reabsorbs calcium into the kidneys

Motilin

secreted by the small intestine; peptide; stimulates gastric activity

Gastrin

secreted by the stomach; peptide; secretion of Gastric Acid by parietal cells.

Testosterone

secreted by the testes; steroid; aids in spermatogenesis; development of genitalia; maintenance of functional reproductive organs; secondary sex characteristics; sexual behavior;

Thymosin

secreted by the thymus; peptide; development and function of the immune system;

Tetraiodothyronine (T4) (Thyroxine)

secreted by the thyroid gland; amine; increases the basal metabolic rate weaker than T3;

Triiodothyronine (T3)

secreted by the thyroid gland; amine; increases the basal metabolic rate;

Glucocorticoids (cortisol)

secreted by the zona fasciculata; steroids; increased protein and fat breakdown; increased glucose production; inhibition of immune response and decreased inflammation

Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

secreted by the zona glomerulus; steroids; increased sodium reabsorption and potassium and hyrogen excretion; enhanced water reabsorption