Section 1 - Overview of Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the basic functions of the endocrine system? (4)
1) Maintenance of homeostasis
2) Helping body “cope” with stressful environment
3) Regulation of cellular metabolism and energy balance
4) Regulation of mood, growth, development and reproduction
Define endocrine
Hormones that have to travel through other blood in order to act on other cells. May or may not be associated with endocrine binding proteins.
Define paracrine
Hormones that act locally (affecting neighboring cells)
Define autocrine
Hormones that act on itself (on the same cells that produce them)
Explain how feedback can affect hormone secretion physiologically and pathophysiologically
- Keep in mind that it is all a negative feedback loop. -Physiological responses that eventually inhibit their further secretion.
- Any issues that can affect these responses and inhibition is considered to be pathophysiologic.
What are steroid hormones?
Made up of cholesterol and differ in side chains.
Hydrophobic and lipophilic.
Use transport proteins like albumins or globulins.
What are peptidic hormones?
Lipophobic and hydrophilic
What are amino acid hormones?
Tyrosine or bigenic amines. Chemically similar to steroid hormones. Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Hormone receptor agonists
ACTIVATE receptors
Hormone receptor antagonists
INactivate receptors
Upregulation
Means there is an increase in number of receptors
Downregulation
Means there is a decrease in number of receptors
What is ADH?
anti-diuretic hormone; vasopressin
What stimulates ADH?
hypovolemia aka losing lots of volume in blood (diarrhea, vomiting, excessive bleeding).
Where is ADH synthesized and secreted?
Synthesized in hypothalamus
Secreted in the posterior pituitary
What are the physiological effects of ADH?
Water resorption in kidney. Increase in urine osmolality and decrease in urine volume. Acts on V2 receptors in distal convoluted tubule. Acts on V1 receptors which leads to vasocontraction and increase blood pressure.
What stimulates oxytocin?
There is a neurohumoral reflex on sucking on nipple or uterine contractions.
Where is oxytocin synthesized and secreted?
Oxytocin is synthesized in hypothalamus.
Secreted in posterior pituitary.
What are the physiological effects of oxytocin?
Causes contraction of myoepithelial cells of the mammary alveoli & ducts and the ejection of milk. Also increases both frequency and duration of action potentials during uterine contractions.
What does TSH stimulate?
TSH stimulates the thyroid.
Where is TSH synthesized and secreted by?
It is synthesized and secreted by thyrotrophs in anterior pituitary gland.
What are the physiological effects of TSH?
It causes secretion of T3 and T4 of thyroid gland.
What stimulates adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)?
It is stimulated by low levels of cortisol; stress, ADH. Somatostatins and high levels of cortisol inhibits release.
Where is ACTH synthesized and secreted?
It is synthesized and secreted by corticotrophs.
What are the physiological effects of ACTH?
It controls stress and affects metabolic metabolism.
What stimulates growth hormone (GH)?
It is stimulated by GHRH and GHIH/somatostatin. However increased levels of GHRH and GH will inhibit release. Somatomedins with GH will cause somatostatins which will inhibit release of GH.
Where is GH synthesized and secreted?
It is synthesized and secreted by somatotropes in anterior pituitary.
What are the physiological effects of GH?
Acts on skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. In bones, epiphyseal plates widen and more bone is laid down at the ends of long bones. Stimulates adipose tissue to break down stored fat, fueling growth effects. Helps AA uptake in skeletal muscle.
What stimulates prolactin?
Inhibited by dopamine/prolactin inhibiting hormone. Pregnancy and breast-feeding is the big stimulation.
Where is prolactin synthesized and secreted?
Prolactin is produced and secreted by lactotrophs.
What are the physiological effects of prolactin?
Prolactin stimulates milk production in the postpartum period. Promotes additional breast development in preparation for milk production. Inhibits ovulation by inhibiting synthesis of GnRH.
What stimulates the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)?
It is stimulated by gonadotropin releasing hromone.
Where is FSH synthesized and secreted?
FSH is synthesized in and secreted by gonadotropes.
What are the physiological effects of FSH?
FSH acts on testes and ovaries and regulates growth, development, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body.
Where is the luteinizing hormone stimulated?
The LH is stimulated by gonadotropin releasing hormone.
Where is LH synthesized and secreted?
LH is synthesized and secreted from gonadotropes.
What are the physiological effects of hormone of LH?
LH helps control menstrual cycle in women and triggers egg release from ovary. Plays an important in sexual development and functioning. Helps develop sperm in men
Where is the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulated?
Stimulated throughout childhood for growth.
Where is the TRH synthesized and secreted?
TRH is synthesized and secreted by the hypothalamus and released into hypophyseal portal system.
What are the physiological effects of TRH?
It acts on thyrotrophs.