Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Chemical
Functions Structure
Hypothalamus Thyrotropin-releasing Stimulates secretion Peptide
hormone of thyroid-
stimulating hormone
and prolactin
Corticotropin-releasing Causes release of Peptide
hormone adrenocorticotropic
hormone
Growth hormone– Causes release of Peptide
releasing hormone growth hormone
Growth hormone Inhibits release of Peptide
inhibitory hormone growth hormone
(somatostatin)
Gonadotropin-releasing Causes release of Peptide
hormone luteinizing hormone
and follicle-
stimulating hormone
Dopamine or prolactin- Inhibits release of Amine
inhibiting factor prolactin
Anterior pituitary Growth hormone Stimulates protein Peptide
synthesis and
overall growth of
most cells and
tissues
Thyroid-stimulating Stimulates synthesis Peptide
hormone and secretion of
thyroid hormones
(thyroxine and
triiodothyronine)
Adrenocorticotropic Stimulates synthesis Peptide
hormone and secretion of
adrenocortical
hormones (cortisol,
androgens, and
aldosterone)
Prolactin Promotes Peptide
development of the
female breasts and
secretion of milk
Follicle-stimulating Causes growth of Peptide
hormone follicles in the
ovaries and sperm
maturation in Sertoli
cells of testes
Luteinizing hormone Stimulates Peptide
testosterone
synthesis in Leydig
cells of testes;
stimulates ovulation,
formation of corpus
luteum, and
estrogen and
Functions Structure
Hypothalamus Thyrotropin-releasing Stimulates secretion Peptide
hormone of thyroid-
stimulating hormone
and prolactin
Corticotropin-releasing Causes release of Peptide
hormone adrenocorticotropic
hormone
Growth hormone– Causes release of Peptide
releasing hormone growth hormone
Growth hormone Inhibits release of Peptide
inhibitory hormone growth hormone
(somatostatin)
Gonadotropin-releasing Causes release of Peptide
hormone luteinizing hormone
and follicle-
stimulating hormone
Dopamine or prolactin- Inhibits release of Amine
inhibiting factor prolactin
Anterior pituitary Growth hormone Stimulates protein Peptide
synthesis and
overall growth of
most cells and
tissues
Thyroid-stimulating Stimulates synthesis Peptide
hormone and secretion of
thyroid hormones
(thyroxine and
triiodothyronine)
Adrenocorticotropic Stimulates synthesis Peptide
hormone and secretion of
adrenocortical
hormones (cortisol,
androgens, and
aldosterone)
Prolactin Promotes Peptide
development of the
female breasts and
secretion of milk
Follicle-stimulating Causes growth of Peptide
hormone follicles in the
ovaries and sperm
maturation in Sertoli
cells of testes
Luteinizing hormone Stimulates Peptide
testosterone
synthesis in Leydig
cells of testes;
stimulates ovulation,
formation of corpus
luteum, and
estrogen and
