Hormones that affecting Human

Development:
The endocrines are the great chemical regulators of development. All hormones regulate one or
more chemical reactions in the body, but they seem to work in many different ways. Hormonal
activity must remain in delicate balance.
1.The Pituitary Gland: The anterior pituitary controls the overall growth of the body. Its
hormones are of great concern because it regulates other endocrines, it is sometimes designated as
the master gland.
A. The growth hormone, regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other tissues from top to toe.
❖ Pituitary dwarfism this is caused by severe deficiency of GH, and possibly of other
hormones, in childhood. The individual is of small stature but is well proportioned and
mental development is not affected. Puberty is delayed and there may be episodes of
hypoglycemia. The condition may be due to genetic abnormality or a tumor.
❖ Acromegaly This means ‘large extremities’ and occurs in adults when there is excess
GH after ossification is complete. The bones become abnormally thick and there is
thickening of the soft tissues. especially excessive growth of the lower jaw, an enlarged
tongue and excessively large hands and feet
❖ Gigantism: This occurs in children when there is excess GH while epiphyseal
cartilages of long bones are still growing, i.e. before ossification of bones is complete. It
is evident mainly in the bones of the limbs, and affected individuals may grow to heights
of 2.1 to 2.4 m, although body proportions remain normal
B- The thyroid stimulating hormone TSH, signals the thyroid to manufacture thyroxin when the
level gets too low. Without TSH hormone, thyroid gland undergoes atrophy; in the presence of
excess, the thyroid increases in glandular tissue and function.
C- The gonadotropic or follicle-stimulating, FSH and luteinizing hormones, LH, are
intimately connected with ovarian function and menstruation. In the male, the follicle-stimulating
hormone induces the development of spermatozoa in the testicle while the luteinizing hormone
stimulates the production of the male sex hormone, testosterone.

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 D- The lactogenic hormone (prolactin) is necessary for the initiation of the flow of milk and
normal lactation following pregnancy.
E- The adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH, promotes hydrocortisone production in the
presence of stress. Hydrocortisone raises blood sugar (for healing process) and acts as an
anti-inflammatory.
2. Adrenal Gland: The two adrenal glands are small, triangular structures situated on the upper
portion of each kidney just below the diaphragm.
A. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are secreted into the blood stream. Fear, anger,
excitement, sudden physical exertion is some of the stimulating factors, both to the
sympathetic nervous system. Adrenaline is the trade name for epinephrine.
B. Aldosterone which promotes retention of sodium and water in the body effecting blood
pressure.
C. Glucocorticoids hydrocortisone which acts to raise blood glucose levels and as an anti-
inflammatory agent, steroids, related to sex hormones.
Disorders of the adrenal cortex:
Hypersecretion of glucocorticoids (Cushing's syndrome) these effects include:
o Painful adiposity of the face (moon face), neck and abdomen.
o Excess protein breakdown, causing thinning of subcutaneous tissue and muscle wasting,
especially of the limbs
o diminished protein synthesis
o osteoporosis , and kyphosis if vertebral bodies are involved
o pathological fractures because of calcium loss from bones
o hyperglycemia and glycosuria which can precipitate diabetes mellitus.
o atrophy of lymphoid tissue and depression of the immune response
o susceptibility to infection due to reduced depressed immune response .
o cataract and striae.
o insomnia, excitability, euphoria, psychosis, depression
o hypertension due to salt and water retention
o menstrual disturbances
o formation of renal calculi
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 o Peptic ulceration.
Hyposecretion of glucocorticoids: hyposecretion of other adrenal cortical hormones, as in
Addison's disease. The most important effects are:
➢ suppression of growth hormone preventing normal growth in children
➢ Muscle weakness and wasting
➢ Gastrointestinal disturbances, e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia
➢ increased pigmentation of the skin, especially of exposed areas.
➢ Slowness and tiredness
➢ Hypoglycemia
➢ Mental confusion
➢ Menstrual disturbances and loss of body hair in women
➢ Electrolyte imbalance, including hypernatremia, low blood chloride levels and
hyperkalemia
➢ Chronic dehydration, low blood volume and hypotension.
3. The Thyroid Gland: The function of the thyroid is to secrete into the blood stream thyroid
hormone, which has a stimulating effect on growth and metabolism. The hormone produced by
the thyroid is called thyroxin which exercises control over the rate at which food is converted into
heat and energy in all the body cells. Secretion disorders of the thyroid may be classified as:
A. Hypothyroidism (Hypofunction): Without sufficient thyroxin the individual feels
constantly cold, drowsy, and unable to do anything without considerable exertion. Slow
Respirations, heart rate sluggish, appetite and sex functioning both below pars. Sometimes
there is a weight gain despite a distinctly meager diet.
Cretinism (congenital hypothyroidism) is a condition of severely short physical and mental
growth due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones.
B. Hyperthyroidism (hyperfunction): An individual with this condition is likely to be
nervous and overactive, with a beating heart and difficult respirations, lose weight.
4.Islets Of Langerhans: The islets of Langerhans secretions of insulin and glucagon, which are
absorbed by the blood, carried to the tissues, and aid in regulating glucose metabolism. The beta
cells secrete insulin, and the alpha cells secrete glucagon. Insulin increases cell permeability to

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glucose. Insulin promotes the utilization of glucose in tissue cells and thereby decreases blood
glucose concentration. Insulin is essential for the maintenance of normal levels of blood glucose.
A. Hypoglycemia can result from increased insulin secretion or from the injection of too much
insulin. Common signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include drowsiness, confusion,
speech difficulty, sweating, trembling, anxiety and a rapid pulse. This can progress rapidly
to coma without treatment.
B. Diabetes mellitus (DM)(hyperglycemia): This is the most common endocrine disorder and
usually occurs when there is deficiency or absence of insulin or, rarely, impairment of
insulin activity (insulin resistance). Lead to disruption of carbohydrate and fat metabolism
occur.
❖ Type I diabetes mellitus: Previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
(IDDM), this occurs mainly in children and young adults. Treatment with injections of
insulin is required.
❖ Type II diabetes mellitus: Previously known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM), this is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of cases.
Treatment involves diet and/or drugs, although sometimes insulin injections are required.
Effects of diabetes mellitus (complication):
a. Raised plasma glucose level:
b. Glycosuria and polyuria leads to dehydration, extreme thirst (polydipsia) and increased
fluid intake.
c. Weight loss In diabetes, cells fail to metabolize glucose in the normal manner.
d. Ketosis and ketoacidosis: Ketosis develops as ketone bodies accumulate.
e. Hypoglycemic coma: This occurs in type I diabetes when insulin administered is in excess
of that needed to balance the food intake and expenditure of energy.
f. Infection: Diabetic people are highly susceptible to infection.
g. Renal failure: This is due to diabetic nephropathy and is a common cause of death in those
with diabetes.
h. Blindness: Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest cause of blindness in adults between 30
and 65 years in developed countries.

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5. The Ovary: The function of the ovaries is the production of ova, and the sex hormones,
progesterone and estrogens. These substances are concerned with the changes characteristic of
menstruation. The ovary produces hormones that cause development of the female genital organs
and secondary sex characteristics. The ovary is directly stimulated or inhibited by hormones from
the pituitary. Puberty is the age at which the internal reproductive organs reach maturity, usually
between the ages of 12 and 14. This is called the menarche, and marks the beginning of the
childbearing period.
6. The Testis: The testicles are the two male glands. The function of the testicles is to produce
spermatozoa and the male sex hormone.
If both testicles are removed before puberty, secondary sex characteristics fail to develop, due to
the absence of testosterone. The skin remains smooth, the voice is high-pitched, fat develops
around the breasts and buttocks, and the pubic hair is scanty. Erections are feeble, and no
ejaculation occurs. The individual is shy, lacks desire, normal combativeness and aggressiveness.
Such an individual is known as a eunuch.
Eunuchoidism usually results from failure of development of testes, which is usually secondary
to a pituitary disorder.
Cryptorchidism: Men with undescended testicles because sperm gets too warm, are sterile but
are sexually normal otherwise. The situation is corrected by an operation in which the
undescended testicles are brought down to its normal scrotal position. This operation is best done
at or shortly after puberty.

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