Download endrocrine system

The endocrine system controls the way your body functions. It produces hormones that
travel to all parts of your body to maintain your tissues and organs. Here are a few of the
areas governed by the endocrine system:
Reproduction
Responses to stress and injury
Growth and sexual development
Body energy levels
Internal balance of body systems
Bone and muscle strength
Your endocrine system produces, stores and releases hormones. When everything goes
smoothly, your body functions properly.
The Glands of the Endocrine System
Your endocrine system is made of many glands and organs. They have different
functions, and work together to keep you healthy. These are the glands of your endocrine
system:
Adrenal glands - influence the way your body uses energy, they also release a hormone
called adrenaline when you are under stress
Hypothalamus - part of your brain that controls hormone production by releasing
different chemicals to the pituitary gland
Ovaries - produce estrogen and progesterone in women, and also release egg cells
Pancreas - releases the insulin your body needs to metabolize sugar; problems with the
pancreas can lead to diabetes
Parathyroid - located behind the thyroid gland, they are essential for proper bone
development
Pineal gland - connects the endocrine system with the nervous system; produces several
important hormones, including melatonin, important to sleep/wake cycles and sexual
development
Pituitary gland – likely the most important gland in your body, it is crucial to growth,
mental development and reproduction; influences or controls the rest of your endocrine
system
Testes - produce the hormone testosterone; in men, testosterone maintains sperm
production and bone mass
Thymus - crucial to normal immune function in childhood; once a child reaches puberty,
its tissue is replaced by fat
Thyroid gland – located in the front of your neck, it releases hormones that control your
metabolism and govern the way your body uses energy
Pituitary Gland
This gland is often referred to as the "master gland." It greatly influences other organs in
the body, and its function is vital to the overall well-being of a person. The pituitary
gland produces several hormones. In fact, the front part of it, commonly called the
anterior pituitary, produces the
following types of hormones:
-Growth hormone: This hormone promotes growth in childhood. For adults, it helps to
maintain healthy muscle and bone mass.
-Prolactin: In women, it stimulates milk production. In males, low levels are linked to
sexual problems; however, most males make no use of the hormone.
-Adrenocorticotropic: This hormone promotes the production of cortisol, which helps to
reduce stress, maintain healthy blood pressure and more.
-Thyroid-stimulating hormone: Just as the name implies, this hormone helps to regulate
the body's thyroid, which is crucial in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
-Luteinizing hormone: In women, this hormone regulates estrogen. In men, it regulates
testosterone.
-Follicle-stimulating hormone: Found in both men and women. It stimulates the
releasing of eggs in women and helps ensure the normal function of sperm production in
men.
The back part of the pituitary gland is called the posterior pituitary. It produces the
following two hormones:
-Oxytocin: This hormone causes pregnant women to start having contractions at the
appropriate time and also promotes milk flow in nursing mothers.
-Antidiuretic hormone: Commonly referred to as vasopressin, this hormone helps to
regulate water balance in the body.
When the pituitary gland doesn't operate in a healthy manner, this can lead to pituitary
disorders.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is in control of pituitary hormones by releasing the following types of
hormones:
-Thyrotrophic-releasing
hormone
-Growth
hormone-releasing
hormone
-Corticotrophin-releasing
hormone
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Thymus
This gland secretes hormones that are commonly referred to as humoral factors and are
important during puberty. The role of these hormones is to make sure a person develops a
healthy immune system.
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland releases melatonin, which helps the body recognize when it is time to go
to
sleep.
Researchers
continue
to
learn
more
about
this
gland.
Testes
Found in men, this gland produces testosterone, which promotes the growth of the penis
as a male gets older as well as facial and body hair. It also deepens the voice of a male at
a certain age. Other functions of testosterone include:
-Maintaining sex drive
-Promoting production of sperm
-Maintaining healthy levels of muscle and bone mass
Ovaries
Found in women, this gland produces both estrogen and progesterone, which promote the
development of breasts. They also help a woman maintain healthy menstrual periods.
Thyroid
Found in both women and men, the thyroid controls a person's metabolism. It is located
in the front of the neck.
Adrenal Glands
This gland helps to control blood sugar. In addition, also helps your body do the
following:
- Promoting proper cardiovascular function
- Properly utilizing carbohydrates and fats
- Helps distribute stored fat
- Promotes healthy gastrointestinal functions
Parathyroid
This gland is vital to proper bone development because it helps control both calcium and
phosphorous levels in the body. The parathyroid gland is actually a group of four small
glands located behind the thyroid gland.
Pancreas
The main function of the pancreas is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is a large
gland located behind the stomach.
EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON HORMONAL SECRETION
Metabolic Rate
Exercise, particularly heavy weightlifting, stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone
from your anterior pituitary gland, and luteinzing hormone triggers testosterone
production. Exercise that involves intense bursts of energy also stimulates the release of
thyroxine from your thyroid gland. Exercise can help you control or reduce your weight
because testosterone and thyroxine speed up your metabolism.
Blood Sugar
Insulin is a hormone that regulates your glucose, or blood sugar, by transporting it to
muscles and tissues that use glucose for energy. Excessive insulin in your blood reduces
your sensitivity to insulin and can lead to diabetes. More glucose stays in the blood when
insulin sensitivity goes down, and high blood glucose can cause nausea, vomiting,
shortness of breath, organ failure, circulation problems and can lead to coma if left
untreated. Exercise might increase your insulin sensitivity by reducing blood
concentrations of insulin. Blood insulin levels begin decreasing after 10 minutes of
aerobic exercise, and weight training might increase your sensitivity to insulin at rest, say
researchers at the University of New Mexico.
Blood Flow
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine during exercise and increases epinephrine
levels at higher exercise intensities. Epinephrine increases the amount of blood that your
heart pumps. Epinephrine also enhances your ability to use muscles during exercise by
widening blood vessels, which lets your muscles get more oxygen-rich blood. Thyroxine
secretions during exercise increase the amount of blood in your body by about 30
percent, and these secretions might remain elevated for around five hours.
Psychological Effects
The effects of exercise on your endocrine system might positively affect your mental
state. Exercise-induced testosterone might increase confidence and libido. Conversely,
low testosterone levels might inhibit your motivation, self-confidence, concentration and
memory. Your pituitary gland may produce a large increase in blood endorphin levels
shortly after exercise begins. Endorphins block your sensitivity to pain, and can reduce
tension or anxiety by inducing a sense of euphoria.
Pituitary
Gland
During exercise, the pituitary gland releases human growth hormone, which tells the
body to increase bone, muscle and tissue production.
Thyroid
Gland
When you start exercising, the thyroid gland (located at the base of the neck) sends out
hormones that regulate the body’s temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. It also
regulates the alertness and focus that are needed to work at a high intensity.
Adrenal
Gland
Located at the top of the kidneys, the adrenal glands are responsible for the release of
cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol levels control blood pressure, glucose and acts as
an anti-inflammatory agent. The adrenal glands also release aldosterone, a hormone that
regulates hydration levels, the speed of the heart and the strength of contractions. It also
turns stored carbohydrates into energy.
Pancreas
Insulin regulates glucose, or blood sugar, by transporting it to the muscles and tissue that
use glucose for energy. Excessive insulin in the blood reduces your sensitivity to insulin
and can cause diabetes, which is also linked to overweight and obesity. Exercise
improves insulin sensitivity and reduces the reliance on insulin injections