List of Human Hormones

Hormone
Gland Origin
Target Tissue
Functions
Adrenocorticotropic
Pituitary
(anterior)
Adrenal cortex
Triggers secretion of hydrocortisone from the adrenal gland
Growth hormone
Pituitary
(anterior)
Throughout body
Stimulates growth and development
Follicle-stimulating
Pituitary
(anterior)
Sex glands
Stimulates female egg maturation and male sperm production
Luteinizing hormone
Pituitary
(anterior)
Sex glands
Stimulates female ovulation and male secretion of testosterone
Prolactin
Pituitary
(anterior)
Mammary glands
Stimulates milk production in the breasts after childbirth
Thyroidstimulating
Pituitary
(anterior)
Thyroid gland
Triggers secretion of thyroid hormones
Melanocyte-stimulating
Pituitary
(anterior)
Melanin-producing cells
Controls skin pigmentation
Antidiuretic hormone
Pituitary
(posterior)
Kidneys
Regulates water retention and blood pressure
Oxytocin
Pituitary
(posterior)
Uterus
Mammary glands
Triggers contraction of the uterus during labor
Stimulates milk letdown for breast-feeding after childbirth
Melatonin
Pineal gland
Brain (Suprachiasmatic nuclei)
Regulates circadian rhythm (awake/sleep patterns) and prevent jet lag
Calcitonin
Thyroid gland
Bones
Controls the level of calcium in the blood by depositing it in the bones
Thyroid hormone
Thyroid gland
Throughout body
Increases the body’s metabolic rate
Promotes normal growth and development
Parathyroid hormone
Parathyroid
Bones
intestines
kidneys
Regulates calcium level in blood
Thymosin
Thymus
White blood cells
Promotes the growth and development of white blood cells
Helping the body fight infection
Aldosterone
Adrenal gland
Kidneys
Regulates sodium and potassium levels in the blood
Control blood pressure
Hydrocortisone
Adrenal gland
Throughout body
Plays key role in stress response;
Increases blood glucose levels and mobilizes fat stores;
Reduces inflammation
Epinephrine
Adrenal gland
Muscles and blood vessels
Increases blood pressure, heart and metabolic rate, blood sugar levels;
Dilates blood vessels.
Also released during exercise
Norepinephrine
Adrenal gland
Muscles and blood vessels
Increases blood pressure and heart rate; constricts blood vessels
Glucagon
Pancreas
Liver
Stimulates the breakdown of glycogen (stored carbohydrate) into glucose (blood sugar); regulates glucose blood level
Insulin
Pancreas
Liver
Throughout body
Removes glucose from the blood by turning it into glycogen
facilitates glucose intake by body cells
Estrogen
Ovaries
Female reproductive system
Causes sexual development and growth;
maintains proper functioning of female reproductive system
Progesterone
Ovaries
Mammary glands
Uterus
Prepares uterus for pregnancy
Testosterone
Testes
Throughout body
Causes sexual development and growth spurt;
maintains proper functioning of male reproductive system
Erythropoietin
Kidney
Bone Marrow
Produces red blood cells



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