HORMONE

GLAND ORIGIN

TARGET TISSUE

FUNCTION

Adrenocorticotropic

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Adrenal cortex

Triggers secretion of hydrocortisone from the adrenal gland

Growth hormone

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Throughout body

Stimulates growth and development

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Sex glands

Stimulates female egg maturation and male sperm production

Luteinizing hormone

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Sex glands

Stimulates female ovulation and male secretion of testosterone

Prolactin

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Mammary glands

Stimulates milk production in the breasts after childbirth

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Thyroid gland

Triggers secretion of thyroid hormones

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone

Pituitary gland (anterior)

Melanin-producing cells

Controls skin pigmentation

Antidiuretic hormone

Pituitary gland (posterior)

Kidneys

Regulates water retention and blood pressure

Oxytocin

Pituitary gland (posterior)

Uterus

Mammary glands

Triggers contraction of the uterus during labor
Stimulates milk letdown for breast-feeding after childbirth

Melatonin

Pineal gland

Unclear, although possible target sites are pigment cells and sex organs

May affect skin pigmentation; may regulate biorhythms (awake/sleep patterns) and prevent jet lag

Calcitonin

Thyroid gland

Bones

Controls the level of calcium in the blood by depositing it in the bones

Thyroid hormone

Thyroid gland

Throughout body

Increases the body's metabolic rate; promotes normal growth and development

Parathyroid hormone

Parathyroid glands

Bones, intestines, and kidneys

Regulates calcium level in blood

Thymosin

Thymus

White blood cells

Promotes the growth and development of white blood cells, helping the body fight infection

Aldosterone

Adrenal gland

Kidneys

Regulates sodium and potassium levels in the blood to control blood pressure

Hydrocortisone

Adrenal gland

Throughout body

Plays key role in stress response; increases blood glucose levels and mobilizes fat stores; reduces inflammatation

Epinephrine

Adrenal gland

Muscles and blood vessels

Increases blood pressure, heart and metabolic rate, and blood sugar levels; dilates blood vessels. Also released during exercise

Norepinephrine

Adrenal gland

Muscles and blood vessels

Increases blood pressure and heart rate; constricts blood vessels

Glucagon

Pancreas

Liver

Stimulates the breakdown of glycogen (stored carbohydrate) into glucose (blood sugar); regulates glucose blood level

Insulin

Pancreas

Throughout body

Regulates blood glucose levels; increases storage of glycogen; facilitates glucose intake by body cells

Estrogen

Ovaries

Female reproductive system

Causes sexual development and growth; maintains proper functioning of female reproductive system

Progesterone

Ovaries

Mammary glands
Uterus

Prepares uterus for pregnancy

Testosterone

Testes

Throughout body

Causes sexual development and growth spurt; maintains proper functioning of male reproductive system

Erythropoietin

Kidney

Bone Marrow

Produces red blood cells