What are the functions of the different types of hormone?
| Endocrine gland | Hormone | Main tissues acted on by hormone | Main function of hormones |
| Hypothalamus | Thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) | Anterior pituitary | Stimulates release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary |
| Somatostatin | Anterior pituitary | Inhibitory hormone that prevents release of hormones such as growth hormone from the anterior pituitary | |
| Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) | Anterior pituitary | Stimulates release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary | |
| Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) | Anterior pituitary | Stimulates adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) release from the anterior pituitary | |
| Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) | Anterior pituitary | Stimulates release of growth hormone (GH) form the anterior pituitary | |
| Anterior pituitary | Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) | Thyroid gland | Stimulates release of thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine from the thyroid gland |
| Luteinising hormone (LH) | Ovary/Testis | Females: promotes ovulation of the egg and stimulates oestrogen and progesterone production Males: promotes testosterone release from the testis | |
| Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) | Ovary/Testis | Females: promotes development of eggs and follicles in the ovary prior to ovulationMales: promotes production of testosterone from testis | |
| Growth Hormone (GH) | Bones, cartilage, muscle, fat, liver, heart | Acts to promote growth of bones and organs | |
| Prolactin (PRL) | Breasts, brain | Stimulates milk production in the breasts and plays a role in sexual behaviour | |
| Adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) | Adrenal glands | Stimulates the adrenal glands to produce mainly cortisol | |
| Posterior pituitary | Vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone, ADH) | Kidney, blood vessels, blood components | Acts to maintain blood pressure by causing the kidney to retain fluid and by constricting blood vessels |
| Oxytocin | Uterus, milk ducts of breasts | Causes ejection of milk from the milk ducts and causes constriction of the uterus during labour | |
| Thyroid gland | Thyroxine (T4) | Most tissues | Acts to regulate the body’s metabolic rate |
| Tri-iodothyronine (T3) | Most tissues | Acts to regulate the body’s metabolic rate | |
| Parathyroid glands | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Kidney, Bone cells | Increases blood calcium levels in the blood when they are low |
| Calcitonin | Kidney, Bone cells | Decreases blood calcium levels when they are high | |
| Adrenal cortex | Cortisol | Most tissues | Involved in a huge array of physiological functions including blood pressure regulation, immune system functioning and blood glucose regulation |
| Aldosterone | Kidney | Acts to maintain blood pressure by causing salt and water retention | |
| Androgens | Most tissues | Steroid hormones that promote development of male characteristics. Physiological function unclear | |
| Adrenal medulla | Adrenaline and noradrenaline (the catecholamines) | Most tissues | Involved in many physiological systems including blood pressure regulation, gastrointestinal movement and patency of the airways |
| Pancreas | Insulin | Muscle, fat tissue | Acts to lower blood glucose levels |
| Glucagon | Liver | Acts to raise blood glucose levels | |
| Somatostatin | Pancreas | Acts to inhibit glucagon and insulin release | |
| Ovary | Oestrogens | Breast, Uterus, Internal and external genitalia | Acts to promote development of female primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Important role in preparing the uterus for implantation of embryo |
| Progesterone | BreastUterus | Affects female sexual characteristics and important in the maintenance of pregnancy | |
| Testis | Testosterone | Sexual organs | Promotes the development of male sexual characteristics including sperm development |
| Stomach | Gastrin | Stomach | Promotes acid secretion in the stomach |
| Serotonin (5-HT) | Stomach | Causes constriction of the stomach muscles | |
| Duodenum and jejunum | Secretin | Stomach, Liver | Inhibits secretions from the stomach and increases bile production |
| Cholecystokinin (CCK) | Liver, Pancreas | Stimulates release of bile from the gall bladder and causes the pancreas to release digestive enzymes | |
| Kidney | Erythropoietin | Bone marrow | Stimulates red blood cell development in the bone marrow |
| Heart | Atrial natiuretic factor (ANF) | Kidney | Lowers blood pressure by promoting salt and water loss |
| Skin | Vitamin D | Small intestine, Kidney, Bone cells |
Stimulates the uptake of calcium in the small intestine, retention of calcium and release of calcium from bone stores |