April 12, 2019
List of Human Hormones
|
Hormone
|
Gland
Origin
|
Target
Tissue
|
Functions
|
|
Adrenocorticotropic
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Adrenal cortex
|
Triggers secretion of hydrocortisone
from the adrenal gland
|
|
Growth hormone
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Throughout body
|
Stimulates growth and development
|
|
Follicle-stimulating
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Sex glands
|
Stimulates female egg maturation and
male sperm production
|
|
Luteinizing hormone
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Sex glands
|
Stimulates female ovulation and male
secretion of testosterone
|
|
Prolactin
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Mammary glands
|
Stimulates milk production in the
breasts after childbirth
|
|
Thyroid–stimulating
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Thyroid gland
|
Triggers secretion of thyroid hormones
|
|
Melanocyte-stimulating
|
Pituitary
(anterior)
|
Melanin-producing cells
|
Controls skin pigmentation
|
|
Antidiuretic hormone
|
Pituitary
(posterior)
|
Kidneys
|
Regulates water retention and blood
pressure
|
|
Oxytocin
|
Pituitary
(posterior)
|
Uterus
Mammary glands
|
Triggers contraction of the uterus
during labor
Stimulates milk letdown for
breast-feeding after childbirth
|
|
Melatonin
|
Pineal gland
|
Brain (Suprachiasmatic nuclei)
|
Regulates circadian rhythm (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
|
Bones
intestines
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
Control blood pressure
|
|
Hydrocortisone
|
Adrenal gland
|
Throughout body
|
Plays key role in stress response;
Increases blood glucose levels and
mobilizes fat stores;
Reduces inflammation
|
|
Epinephrine
|
Adrenal gland
|
Muscles and blood vessels
|
Increases blood pressure, heart and
metabolic rate, 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
|
Liver
Throughout body
|
Removes glucose from the blood by
turning it into 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
|
