November 27, 2024
Headlines

Function of the endocrine system

016 mins

Functions of the Endocrine System

The biological role of the endocrine system is closely linked to that of the nervous system; the two together coordinate the functions of the other (in some cases widely separated) organs and organ systems. The distinguishing feature of the endocrine system is that its influence is exerted by way of a number of substances, the hormones. Chemically, the hormones are a nonuniform group; the range of compounds represented includes steroids, amino-acid derivatives, peptides and proteins. Their common characteristic is that they are produced in special organs, the endocrine glands (glands without secretory ducts) or in circumscribed groups of cells — for example, the islet cells of the pancreas, Leydig’s interstitial cells in the testes, and cell groups in the duodenal mucosa (secretin) and the hypothalamus (ADH, oxytocin, etc.) — and are transported in the blood to more or less distant organs. They have specific actions on these target organs, actions that as a rule cannot be produced by any other substance. The word “specific” also indicates that the action of each hormone is exerted only on its particular functional systems or organs, the “effector organs.” A further characteristic is that the endocrine glands and cell groups are occupied exclusively with the formation and secretion of their hormones.

Keywords

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Buying options

eBook EUR 67.40 Price includes VAT (Bulgaria)

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Preview

References

Textbooks and Handbooks

  1. G reep , R.O., A stwood , E.B. (Eds.) Handbook of Physiology. Section 7: Endocrinology, Volumes I-VII. Washington, D. C.: American Physiological Society 1972–76 Google Scholar
  2. D e G root , L.J. (Ed.) Endocrinology, Volumes I-III. New York-San Francisco-London: Grune & Stratton 1979 Google Scholar
  3. W illiams , R.H. (Ed.) Textbook of Endocrinology. Philadelphia-London-Toronto: Saunders 1974 Google Scholar
  4. D onovan , B.T.: Mammalian Neuroendocrinology. London: McGraw Hill Pubi. Co. Ltd. 1970 Google Scholar
  5. J effcoate , L.S., H utchinson , J.S.M. The Endocrine Hypothalamus. London-New York-San Francisco: Academic Press 1978 Google Scholar
  6. K arlson , P.: Mechanisms of Hormone Action. Stuttgart: Thieme 1965 Google Scholar
  7. G reep , R.O. (Ed.) Reproductive Physioloqy II. In: Int. Rev. Physiol. Vol. 13 (G uyton , A.C. Ed.). Baltimore-London-Tokyo: Univ. Park Press 1977 Google Scholar
  8. S awin , C.T.: The Hormones. Endocrine Physiology. London: Churchill 1969 Google Scholar

Research Reports and Reviews

  1. S hearman , R. P. (Ed.) Human Reproductive Physiology. Oxford-London-Edinburgh-Melbourne: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1979 Google Scholar
  2. A dolph , E.F.: General and specific characteristics of physiological adaptations. Amer. J. Physiol. 184,18 (1956) PubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  3. A ltszuler , N.: Actions of growth hormone on carbohydrate metabolism. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. IV, Part 2 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  4. A ndersson , B.: Central nervous and hormonal interaction in temperature regulation of the goat. In: Physiological and Behavioral Temperature Regulation (J.D. H ardy , A.P. G agge , J.A.J. Stolwijk, Eds.), p. 634. Springfield, 111.: Ch. C. Thomas 1970 Google Scholar
  5. A ndersson , B.: Receptors subserving hunger and thirst. In: Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol.III/1: Enteroceptors (E. Neil, Ed.), p. 187. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1972 Google Scholar
  6. A rimura , A.: Hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone and reproduction. In: see Ref. 7 Google Scholar
  7. A xelrod , J.: The pineal gland: A neurochemical transducer. Science 184,1341 (1974) CrossRefPubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  8. B arker , S.B., K litgaard , H.M.: Metabolism of tissues excised from thyroxine-injected rats. Amer. J. Physiol. 170,81 (1952) PubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  9. Brück, K.: Non-shivering thermogenesis and brown adipose tissue in relation to age, and their integration in the thermoregulatory system. In: Brown Adipose Tissue (O. Lindberg, Ed.), p. 117. New York: Amer. Elsevier Publ. 1970 Google Scholar
  10. C annon , W.B.: Die Notfallsfunktionen des sympathicoadrenalen Systems. Ergebn. Physiol 27,380 (1928) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. C onrad , C. D., S tumpf , W. E.: Endocrine optic pathways to the hypothalamus. In: Anatomical Neuroendocrinolgy (W.E. S tumpf , C. D. Grant, Eds.). Basel: Karger 1975 Google Scholar
  12. C ross , B. A., D yball , R.E.J.: Central pathways for neurohypophysial hormone release. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. IV, Part 1, The Pituitary Gland (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  13. D aughaday , H.W., H erington , A.C. P hillips , L.S.: The regulation of growth by endocrines. Ann. Rev. Physiol.37,211 (1975) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  14. D avis , J.O.: Regulation of aldosteron secretion. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. VI, Adrenal Gland (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  15. D avis , J.O., F reeman , R.H.: Mechanisms regulating renin release. Physiol. Rev. 56,1 (1976) PubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  16. D yer , R. G., D yball , R. E. J.: Evidence for a direct effect of LRF and TRF on single unit activity in the rostral hypothalamus. Nature 252, 486(1974) Google Scholar
  17. E delmann , I. S., Ismall-B eigi , F.: Thyroid thermogenesis and active sodium transport. In: Recent Progress in Hormone Research (R.O. Greep, Ed.). New York-London: Academic Press 1974 Google Scholar
  18. E uler von , U. S.: Adrenal medullary secretion and its neural control. In: Neuroendocrinology, Vol. II (C. M artini , W.F. Ganong, Eds.), p. 283. New York-London: Academic Press 1967 Google Scholar
  19. F itzsimmons , J.T.: The Physiology of Thirst and Sodium Appetite. London-New York-Melbourne: Cambridge Univ. Press 1975 Google Scholar
  20. F ujita , T., K obayashi , S., Yui, R, I wanaga , T.: Evolution of neurons and paraneurons. Hormones, Adaptation and Evolution (S. Ishii et al., eds.), pp. 35–43, Japan Sci. Soc. Press, Tokyo, Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1980 Google Scholar
  21. G ale , C.C.: Neuroendocrine aspects of thermoregulation. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 35,391 (1973) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  22. G anong , W. F., F orsham , P. H.: Adenohypophysis and adrenal cortex. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 22,579 (1960) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  23. H aberich , F. J., A ziz , O., N owacki , P. E.: Über einen osmorecepto- risch tätigen Mechanismus in der Leber. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 285,73 (1965) CASGoogle Scholar
  24. H ayward , J. N.: Neural control of the posterior pituitary. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 37,191 (1975) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  25. H ayward , J. N., V incent , J. D.: Osmosensitive single neurons in the hypothalamus of unanesthetized monkeys. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 210, 947(1970) Google Scholar
  26. H enkin , R.I.: The role of adrenal corticosteroids in sensory processes. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. VI, Chap. 15 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  27. H ensel , H. Brück, K., R aths , P.: Homeothermic Organisms. In: Temperature and Life (H. P recht , J. C hristophersen , H. H ensel , W.Larcher, Eds.), p.505. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973 Google Scholar
  28. H sieh , A. C. C, P un , C. W, L i , K. M, T i , K. W.: Circulatory and metabolic effects of noradrenaline in cold-adapted rats. Fed. Proc. 25, 1205 (1966) PubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  29. K lein , D.C.: The pineal gland: A model of neuroendocrine regulation. In: The Hypothalamus (S. R eichlin , R.J. B aldessarini , J. B. Martin, Eds.), pp. 303–327. New York: Raven Press 1978 Google Scholar
  30. K nobil , E.: On the control of gonadotropin secretion in the Rhesus monkey. In: Recent Progress in Hormone Research (R.O. Greep, Ed.), Vol. 30. New York-London: Academic Press 1974 Google Scholar
  31. LeB lanc , J., V illemaire , A.: Thyroxine and noradrenaline on noradrenaline sensitivity, cold resistance and brown fat. Amer. J. Physiol. 218,1 742(1970) Google Scholar
  32. L ewis , G. P.: Physiological mechanisms controlling secretory activity of adrenal medulla. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. VI, Adrenal Gland, pp. 309–319 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  33. M artin , J.B., T annenbaum , G., W illoughby , J.O., R enaud , L.P., B razeau , P.: Functions of the central nervous system in regulation of pituitary GH secretion. In: Hypothalamic Hormones (M. M otta , P.G. C rosignani , L. Martini, Eds.). London-New York: Academic Press 1975 Google Scholar
  34. M ichael , R.P.: The effects of hormones on sexual behavior in female cat and Rhesus monkey. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. II, Female Reproductive System, Part I, pp. 187–222 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  35. M oran , N.C.: Adrenergic receptors. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. VI, Adrenal Gland, pp. 447–472 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  36. N athaniels , P. W.: Endocrine mechanisms of parturition. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 40,411 (1978) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. N icoll , R. A.: Excitatory action of TRH on spinal motoneurons. Nature 265,242 (1977) CrossRefPubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  38. O ksche , A.: Circumventricular structures and pituitary functions. Proc. 4th Int. Congr. Endocrinology, Washington. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica 1972 Google Scholar
  39. O ksche , A., H artwig , H. G.: Photoneuroendocrine systems and the third ventricle. In: Brain-endocrine interaction II (K.M. Krigge et al., Eds.), pp. 40–53. Basel: Karger 1975 Google Scholar
  40. P earse , A. G. E.: The diffuse neuroendocrine system and the APUD concept: related “endocrine” peptides in brain, intestine, pituitary, placenta, and anuran cutaneous glands. Medical Biology 55, pp. 115–125 (1978) Google Scholar
  41. R amey , E.R.: Corticosteroids and skeletal muscle. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. VI, Adrenal Gland, Chapter 17 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  42. R enaid , L. P., M artin , J. P., M artin , J. B., B razeau , O.: Depressant action of TRH, LH-RH and somatostatin on activity of central neurons. Nature 255,233 (1975) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. S elye , H.: The physiology and pathology of exposure to stress. Montreal: Acta Inc. Medical Publ. 1950 Google Scholar
  44. S terlin , K., L azarus , J.H.: The thyroid and its control. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 39,349 (1977) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. T almage , R. V., M eyer , R. A.: Physiological role of parathyroid hormone. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol.VII, Parathyroid Gland (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar
  46. V ale , W., R ivier , C., B rown , M.: Regulatory peptides of the hypothalamus. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 39,473 (1977) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  47. V erney , E.B.: The antidiuretic hormone and factors which determine its release. Proc. roy. Soc. B 135,25 (1947) CrossRefCASGoogle Scholar
  48. W oods , S. C., P orte , D.: Neural control of the endocrine pancreas. Physiol. Rev. 54,596 (1974) PubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  49. W uttke , W., A rnold , P., B ecker , D., C reutzfeld , O., L angenstein , S., T irsch , W.: Circulating hormones, EEG and performance in psychological tests of women with and without oral contraceptives. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1,141 (1975) CrossRefPubMedCASGoogle Scholar
  50. Y amamoto , W. S., B robeck , J. R, (Eds.): Physiological Controls and Regulations. Philadelphia-London: Saunders 1965 Google Scholar
  51. Y ates , F. E., M aran , J. W.: Stimulation and inhibition of adrenocor- ticotropin release. In: Handbook of Physiology, Vol. IV, The Pituitary Gland, Part 2 (see Ref. 1) Google Scholar

Related News