Leutinizing hormone (LH) causes the bursting of the follicle in a woman’s ovaries, and also facilitates the formation of a corpeus luteum from the remains of the follicle.

Hypothalamus: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GRH) Ant. Pituitary: Luteinizing hormone & follicle-stimulating hormone Testes: Testosterone Ovaries: Estradiol and Progesterone

Prolactin are also secreted by the anterior pituitary. Prolactin is secreted near the end of pregnancy and prepares the breasts for milk production.

Gonadotropins and secreted by the anterior pituitary. Gonadotropins influence the gonads. Gonadotropins (which include follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone, LH) affect the gonads by stimulating gamete formation and production of sex hormones.

Another group of non-sex hormones that many people have heard of is the endorphins, which belong to the category of chemicals known as opiates and serve to deaden our pain receptors. Endorphins, which are chemically related to morphine, are produced in response to pain. The natural response to rub an injured area, such as a [...]

One non-sex hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary is antidiuretic hormone or ADH. This hormone helps prevent excess water excretion by the kidneys. Ethanol inhibits the release of ADH and can, thus, cause excessive water loss. That’s also part of the reason why a group of college students who go out for pizza and a [...]

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide anterior pituitary hormone essential for growth. GH-releasing hormone stimulates release of GH. GH-inhibiting hormone suppresses the release of GH. The hypothalamus maintains homeostatic levels of GH. Cells under the action of GH increase in size (hypertrophy) and number (hyperplasia). GH also causes increase in bone length and thickness by [...]

Pheromones are also communication chemicals used to send signals to other emmebers of same species. Queen bees, ants, and naked mole rats exert control of their respective colonies via pheromones. THey are commonly used to attract mates, for….Pheromones are widely studied in insects and are the basis for some kinds of Japanese beetle and gypsy [...]

Biological cycles ranging from minutes to years occur throughout the animal kingdom. Cycles involve hibernation, mating behavior, body temperature and many other physiological processes. Rhythms or cycles that show cyclic changes on a daily (or even a few hours) basis are known as circadian rhythms. Many hormones, such as ACTH-cortisol, TSH, and GH show circadian [...]

Insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by the pancreas and results in the lowering of blood sugar levels. It acts on liver, fat, muscle and other tissues to stimulate uptake of glucose. Uptaken glucose is either metabolised or converted to glycogen and fat. After a meal, when blood glucose levels rise, insulin is released so [...]

Melatonin promotes sleep and decreases activity of the gonads. In addition, melatonin affects thyroid and adrenal cortex functions and (in some animals) skin pigmentation. Because melatonin production is affected by the amount of light to which a person is exposed, this is tied to circadian rhythm (having an activity cycle of about 24 hours), annual [...]

Amines are derived from the amino acid tyrosine and are secreted from the thyroid and the adrenal medulla. Solubility of the various hormone classes varies. Amine hormones (notably epinephrine) are stored as granules in the cytoplasm until needed.

Steroids are lipids derived from cholesterol. Testosterone is the male sex hormone. Estradiol, similar in structure to testosterone, is responsible for many female sex characteristics. Steroid hormones are secreted by the gonads, adrenal cortex, and placenta. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol by a biochemical reaction series. Defects along this series often lead to hormonal [...]

Polypeptides are short chains of amino acids; most hormones are peptides. They are secreted by the pituitary, parathyroid, heart, stomach, liver, and kidneys. Peptide hormones are synthesized as precursor molecules and processed by the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi where they are stored in secretory granules. When needed, the granules are dumped into the bloodstream. Different [...]

Sources: Dr. Farabee Endocrine glands secrete hormones (chemical messengers) into the blood. Hormones act on target cells, which must have appropriate receptors to bind the hormone and bring about a physiological response. The endocrine system is composed of endocrine glands located throughout the body, and generally regulates activities that require duration, rather than speed. Hormones [...]