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Table 1.2 A brief description of endocrine hormones, their function, and related disorders
Endocrine
gland
Hormone
Specific function
Endocrine disorders
Anterior
pituitary gland
Growth hormone
(GH)
Stimulates the growth
and development of the
body
Hypersecretion of GH
during childhood causes
gigantism, during adulthood
causes acromegaly
Hyposecretion of GH during
childhood causes dwarfism
Prolactin
Stimulates lactation (milk
production right after
delivery)
Hyperprolactinemia or
Galactorrhea
Thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH)
Stimulates the release of
thyroid hormones (T3
and T4) and increases all
known activities of
thyroid gland
Follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH)
Stimulates
spermatogenesis through
Sertoli cells in the testes
(in men)
Stimulates early
maturation of ovarian
follicles (in women)
Ovarian hyperstimulation
syndrome
Hypergonadotropic—
hypogonadism (Klinefelter’s
syndrome, Turner syndrome)
Hypogonadotropic—
hypogonadism (Kallmann’s
syndrome)
Luteinizing hormone
(LH)
Stimulates testosterone
secretion from Leydig
cell in the testes (in male)
Responsible for final
maturation of ovarian
follicles and the secretion
of estrogen therein (in
female)
Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)
Stimulates the secretion
of cortisol
(hydrocortisone) and
androgens
Posterior
pituitary gland
Antidiuretic hormone
(ADH)
Maintains the water and
electrolyte balance in the
body
Diabetes insipidus
Oxytocin
Stimulates uterine
contraction during labor
and promotes milk
ejection during
breastfeeding milk
ejection in nursing
women
Deficiency may cause
Autism
(continued)
1 Physiology of Endocrine System and Related Metabolic Disorders