List of hormones and their functions

Hormones produced by the pituitary gland

The two sections of the pituitary gland produce a number of different hormones which act on different target glands or cells.

Anterior pituitary

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Luteinising hormone (LH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Prolactin (PRL)
Growth hormone (GH)
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Posterior pituitary

Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin

Table of pituitary hormones

Hormone	Target(s)	Function
ACTH	Adrenals	Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol. ACTH is also known as corticotrophin.
TSH	Thyroid	Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, which is called thyroxine. TSH is also known as thyrotrophin.
LH & FSH	Ovaries (women) Testes (men)	Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics. Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. LH and FSH are known collectively as gonadotrophins. LH is also referred to as interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males.
PRL	Breasts	Stimulates the breasts to produce milk. This hormone is secreted in large amounts during pregnancy and breast feeding, but is present at all times in both men and women.
GH	All cells in the body	Stimulates growth and repair. Research is currently being carried out to identify the functions of GH in adult life.
MSH		Exact role in humans is unknown.
ADH	Kidneys	Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys. This hormone is also known vasopressin or argenine vasopressin (AVP).
Oxytocin	Uterus Breasts	Affects uterine contractions in pregnancy and birth and subsequent release of breast milk.

Control of hormone production is monitored continuously and regulated using feedback loops.

You may find the Your Hormones, Society for Endocrinology webiste, useful to find out more: http://www.yourhormones.info/

Hormones produced by the Hypothalamus

The secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary is controlled by the production of hormones by the hypothalamus. Although there are a number of different hormones they can be split into two main types:

hormones that tell the pituitary to switch on production of a hormone (a releasing hormone)
hormones that tell the pituitary to switch off production of a hormone (an inhibiting hormone).

The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are produced in the hypothalamus and then passed down a tube between the hypothalamus and the pituitary (the pituitary stalk) when they are then secreted into the blood.

Hormones produced by other glands in the body

In total more than 200 hormones or hormone-like substances have been discovered. In addition to the hormones listed in the table above, five of these hormones are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary.

Hormone	Organ	Function
Cortisol	Adrenals	Cortisol has a number of functions. It promotes normal metabolism, maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure, provides resistance to stress and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also plays a part in regulation of fluid balance in the body.
Thyroxine	Thyroid	Thyroxine controls many body functions, including heart rate, temperature and metabolism. It also plays a role in the metabolism of calcium in the body.
Oestrogen	Ovaries	Oestrogen facilitates growth of the tissues of the sex organs and other tissues related to reproduction. Oestrogen also acts to strengthen bones and has a protective effect on the heart.
Progesterone	Ovaries	Progesterone promotes the changes in the uterus that occur in preparation for the implantation of a fertilised ovum and prepares the breasts for milk production.
Testosterone	Testes	Testosterone is responsible for the characteristics of the masculine body, including hair growth on the face and body and muscle development. Testosterone is essential for the production of sperm and also acts to strengthen bones.

For more information about glands and hormones, as well as educational resources, visit the Society for Endocrinology's 'You and Your Hormones' website