INTRODUC T IO N T O T H E

E N DO C R IN E S YS T E M
O LGY L EC TURE SERIE S 1
ENDOCRIN

BY
ZE BA SS E Y (P h D)
IYA E
 EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SESSION
 Define endocrinology

 Describe the differences and similarities between neural and

endocrine systems

 Identify the major organs and tissues of the endocrine system and
their location in the body

 Describe the role of these glands in the endocrine system

 WHAT IS ENDOCRINOLOGY?

ENDOCRINOLOGY IS A BRANCH OF BIOLOGY AND

MEDICINE THAT FOCUSES ON THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM,
ITS NORMAL PRODUCTION AND FUNCTIONS OF
HORMONES AND THEIR DISTURBANCES.
THERE ARE TWO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS IN THE
BODY, ONE IS ENDOCRINE SYSTEM THE OTHER NERVOUS
SYSTEM. THE TWO SYSTEMS ARE INTIMATELY
INTERRELATED, COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER AND ARE
TWO ENDS OF A SINGLE SPECTRUM. THEY MAKE UP
WHAT IS CALLED THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
• THEY ARE BOTH INVOLVED IN COORDINATION & CONTROL OF
BODY FUNCTIONS
• THEY BOTH PRODUCE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE CHEMICALS
• SOME PARTS OF BRAIN ARE GLANDS/SOME GLANDS ARE
NERVOUS TISSUE
• SOME RESPONSES BEGIN AS NERVOUS REFLEX AND END AS
HORMONAL RESPONSES
• BOTH SYSTEMS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE HYPOTHALAMUS
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NERVOUS AND
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
• EFFECTS ARE LOCAL: CELL TO CELL • EFFECTS ARE WIDESPREAD: WORKS
THROUGHOUT BODY
• TARGETS: NEURONS, MUSCLE, CELLS
OR GLANDS • TARGETS: ALL TISSUES AND
ORGANS
• TRANSMISSION IS VIA NERVE
IMPULSES • TRANSMISSION IS VIA HORMONE
THROUGH CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
• IT USES CHEMICAL SIGNALS ONLY IN
CELL-TO-CELL TRANSMISSION • USES ONLY CHEMICAL SIGNALS
• RESPONSE IS INSTANTANEOUS • GRADUAL RESPONSE (SECONDS TO
(MILLISECONDS TO SECONDS) HOURS)

• EFFECTS ARE SHORT-LIVED • EFFECTS ARE LONGER-LIVED

(MILLISECONDS TO SECONDS) (MINUTES TO DAYS)
• ENDOCRINE GLANDS ARE DUCTLESS GLANDS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
THAT SECRETE THEIR PRODUCTS, HORMONES, DIRECTLY INTO THE BLOOD.
THE HORMONES REGULATE A NUMBER OF VITAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR BODY.
HORMONES HELP REGULATE SUCH DIVERSE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS
• GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL, SEXUAL AND MENTAL
CHARACTERISTICS
• DIGESTION AND UTILIZATION OF NUTRIENTS BY THE CELLS
• ADJUSTMENTS OF SALT AND WATER BALANCE
• RESPIRATION, EXCRETION AND METABOLIC RATE
• DEALING WITH MOODS, STRESS, SLEEP AND REPRODUCTION
ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND CELLS  IN THE HUMAN BODY

Adapted from
https://courses.lumenlea
rning.com/suny-ap2/cha
pter/an-overview-of-the-
endocrine-system/
ENDOCRINE GLANDS ARE DIVIDED INTO MAJOR
AND MINOR GLANDS
Major Endocrine gland include the
hypothalamus, pineal body, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroids,
pancreas, testes and ovaries.

Minor /Temporary glands

Kidneys, Liver, Heart, Stomach & Duodenum, thymus, Adipose Tissue
and Placenta
 Definitions
Endocrine Cells: Secrete hormones into a blood
vessel and hormone transported to target cells
Paracrine cells: Secrete hormones which act on
neighboring cells
Autocrine cells: secrete hormones which act
on the same cell
Neuroendocrine cells: Secrete hormones from
neural axon terminals straight into blood
stream
 Major Endocrine Glands, their Associated
Hormones and effects on target organ
Endocrine Gland Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ 

Corticotropin-releasing Stimulates the pituitary to

factor (CRF) produce ACTH

Gonadotropin-releasing Stimulates the pituitary to

hormone (GnRH) produce FSH and LH

Growth hormone- Stimulates the pituitary to

releasing factor produce GH

Stimulates the pituitary to

Somatostatin
inhibit GH and TSH

Thyrotropin-releasing Stimulates the pituitary to

factor produce TSH
Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland
Pituitary Growth hormone (GH) promotes growth of body tissues, protein
(Anterior) synthesis; metabolic functions
  Prolactin (PRL) promotes milk production
  Thyroid stimulating stimulates thyroid hormone release
hormone (TSH)  
  Adrenocorticotropic stimulates hormone release by adrenal
hormone (ACTH) cortex, glucocorticoids
  Follicle-stimulating stimulates gamete production (both ova
hormone (FSH) and sperm); secretion of estradiol

  Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates androgen production by

gonads; ovulation, secretion of
progesterone
  Melanocyte-stimulating stimulates melanocytes of the skin
hormone (MSH) increasing melanin pigment production.
Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland
Posterior Antidiuretic hormone stimulates water reabsorption by
Pituitary (ADH) kidneys
  Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions
during childbirth; milk ejection;
stimulates ductus deferens and
prostate gland contraction during
emission of semen
Thyroid Thyroxine, stimulate and maintain metabolism;
triiodothyronine growth and development

  Calcitonin reduces blood Ca2+ levels

Parathyroid parathyroid hormone increases blood Ca2+ levels
(PTH)
Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland

Adrenal Aldosterone increases blood Na+ levels; increase

(Cortex) K+ secretion
  Cortisol, increase blood glucose levels; anti-
corticosterone, inflammatory effects
cortisone
Adrenal Epinephrine, stimulate fight-or-flight response;
(Medulla) norepinephrine increase blood gluclose levels;
increase metabolic activities
Pancreas Insulin reduces blood glucose levels

  Glucagon increases blood glucose levels

Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland
The heart atrial natriuretic functions to reduce blood volume,
peptide (ANP) pressure, and Na+ concentration
The gastrin, secretin, and They trigger the release of gastric
gastrointes cholecystokinin juices, which help to break down and
tinal tract digest food in the GI tract.
The kidneys Renin part of the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system that leads to the
release of aldosterone
  calcitriol aids in the absorption of Ca2+ and
phosphate ions
  Erythropoietin (EPO) triggers the formation of red blood
cells in the bone marrow.
Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland
Liver Erythropoietin (EPO) triggers the formation of red blood
cells in the bone marrow.

Placenta (in Chorionic maintains hormonal activity of ovary

pregnancy) gonadotropic
hormone
  Estrogens & Maintenance of pregnancy
progesterone
Endocrine Associated Hormones Effect on Target organ
Gland
The thymus thymosins contribute to the development of the
(in infants immune response.

Adipose Leptin leptin binds to CNS neurons in

tissue hypothalamus and produces
sensation of satiety.
Leptin is also associated with
reproduction

  Adiponectin Insulin sensitization and anti-

inflammatory effects

  Resistin Plays a roles in energy metabolism

and contributes to inflammatory
response
ANY QUESTIONS?