Animal Hormones

• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) is produced by the posterior pituitary gland and regulates the retention of water.
• Glucocorticoids are produced by the adrenal cortex and are involved in bioenergetics, especially in glucose metabolism, and suppress certain components of the body’s immune system.
• Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and acts as neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, involved in biorhythms.
• Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and pigment-containing cells in the skin of some fishes.
• Estrogen is produced in all cells and is involved in the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and female secondary sex characteristics.
• Growth hormone (GH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is released by the liver, which releases insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) for bone and cartilage growth, and raises blood glucose, opposing the effects of insulin.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the activities of the gonads.
• Prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates mammary gland’s growth and milk production, fat metabolism and reproduction in birds, delays metamorphosis of amphibians, and regulates salt and water balance in freshwater fish.
• Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) are produced by the anterior pituitary gland and are involved in development, bioenergetics, and homeostasis, metamorphosis of tadpole into a frog, calcium homeostasis, and metabolism.
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is produced by the parathyroid glands and is involved in calcium homeostasis and the conversion of vitamin D.
• B-endorphin is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and dulls the perception of pain.
• Insulin and glucagon are produced by the pancreas and are involved in regulating blood glucose in all body cells except the brain.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the development of the thyroid gland and the production of thyroid hormones.
• Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) are produced by the adrenal medulla and are involved in a rapid bioenergetic boost in almost all cells, especially liver, skeletal muscles, cardiovascular and respiratory system.
• Mineralocorticoids are produced by the adrenal cortex and are involved in salt and water balance.
• Progesterone is produced in both male (testes) and female (ovary), controlled by gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary gland, and is involved in promoting uterine lining growth.
• Androgens are target in all cells and are involved in male secondary characteristics.
• Calcitonin is produced by the thyroid glands and is involved in calcium homeostasis.
• Oxytocin produced by posterior pituitary gland and contraction of the uterus during labor.