The Endocrine & Reproductive System
The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System is one of main controlling system in the body. The endocrine system works closely with the nervous system in maintaining a steady state within the body. While the nervous system tends to produce a rapid response by using electrical/chemical stimuli, the endocrine system works much slower and over a longer period of time.
The endocrine system produces and releases hormones into tissue fluids and into the bloodstream. Hormones act as messengers that act to regulate organs in other parts of the body. Hormones are designed to act only on specific tissues within the body, creating a physiologic response by the receptor organ. Hormones are regulated by a negative feedback system, which keeps the hormones in balance by activating and curtailing the release of hormones. Disorders in an endocrine gland result in a physiological imbalances.
Hypothalamus
The nervous and endocrine systems are linked by the hypothalamus gland, which stimulates or inhibits the activity of the pituitary gland.
Pituitary
The pituitary gland is called the master gland, in that it releases hormones that affect the workings of other glands in the body. It is located within the brain, just behind the point in which the optic nerves cross. The pituitary is broken down into two parts, the anterior lobe, which releases hormones when stimulated by the hypothalamus, and the posterior lobe, which stores hormones, produced by the hypothalamus and is released when they are stimulated by the nervous impulses.
Hormones controlled by the anterior lobe of the pituitary include:
- Human Growth Hormone (Somatotropin) - act by increasing amino acid uptake and promoting protein synthesis in most tissues.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones.
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - stimulates the adrenal cortex of the adrenal glands.
- Prolactin - stimulates the production of breast milk in females.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormones - stimulates the development of eggs in the ovaries and sperm in the testes.
- Luteinizing Hormone - causes sex hormone secretion in both males and females and also causes ovulation in females.
Hormones released by the posterior lobe of the pituitary include:
- Antidiuretic Hormone - helps the body to conserve water by promoting the reabsorption of water from the kidneys.
- Oxytocin - causes contraction of the uterine muscles and promotes the release of milk from the breast.
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is a small structure located in the mid-brain. The pineal produces the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep cycles.
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body. Made up of two lobes that sit on either side of the larynx, the thyroid gland releases thyrozine, which increases energy metabolism and protein metabolism.
Parathyroid Gland
Embedded in the rear of the thyroid gland, are four tiny bodies called the parathyroid gland. The parathyroid glands are responsible for calcium metabolism, particularly the release of calcium from the bone tissues, thus increasing the amount of calcium circulating in the bloodstream.
Thymus
The thymus gland is a collection of lymph tissue that lies in the center of the chest, just above the heart. This gland is critical for the development of immunity and the development of T-lymphocyte (T-cells).
Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. The Adrenals are made up of two separate parts that have independent functions. The inner area called the medulla releases two hormones, adrenaline and norepinephrine, which controls our fight-or-flight response.
Physiological actions that occur when this gland is stimulated include:
- The contraction of the walls of the arterioles, which causes blood pressure to rise.
- Conversion of glycogen in the liver to glucose, in order to produce that emergency energy required.
- An increase of the heart rate.
- An increase in metabolic rate of body cells.
- Dialation of the bronchioles.
The outer portion of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex, secretes three types of hormones. They include:
- Glucocordiocoids - maintain the carbohydrate reserves in the body, as well as to suppress the inflammatory response of tissues.
- Mineralocorticoids - help to regulate the electrolyte balance in the body by controlling the reabsorption of sodium and secretion of potassium by the kidneys.
- Sex hormones - are secreted in small amounts. While slight in their effects, this source of sex hormones becomes important as a woman reaches menopause.
Islets of Langerhans
The Islets of Langerhans are specialized cells that are located on the pancreas which secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon. The correct amounts of insulin and glucagon are required in to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is required to transport glucose (a form of simple sugar) into the cells to be used for energy.
Insulin is also used to lower the level of sugar in the blood by increasing the rate at which the liver converts glucose into glycogen for storage in fatty tissues. Glucagon, on the other hand, causes the liver to convert glycogen back to glucose and release it back into the blood stream for use by the cells for energy.
Ovaries
The ovaries produce two hormones estrogen and progesterone that are responsible for the stimulation and preparation of the uterus for pregnancy.
Testes
The testes produce the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for development and maintenance of primary and secondary male sexual characteristics.
Kidney
While the kidneys are not typically thought of as secreting hormones, the kidneys actually do secrete two different hormonal substances:
- Renin - helps to regulate blood pressure.
- Erythropoieten - stimulates the production of red blood cells.
The Reproductive System
Although the reproductive systems of males and females are different, the organs of both sexes can be divided into two groups, the primary organs, or the gonads and the accessory organs, which include a series of ducts that transport either egg or sperm, as well as various endocrine glands.
Male Reproduction
The Testes
The testes are located outside the body proper and are suspended in a sac called the scrotum. The function of the testes is to produce spermatozoa, which is essential for the proliferation of life. The testes also produce the hormone testosterone, which is required to maintain the reproductive structures as well as to develop secondary sexual characteristics.
Epididymis
The epididymis is a highly coiled tube in which sperm complete the maturation process and are stored.
Vas Deferens & Ejacularory Duct
The vas deferens and ejacularory duct are a tube that connects the epididymis to the urethra.
Seminal Vesicles
The seminal vesicles is a sack like glands that secrete a mucus-like fluid that contains nutrients that nourish the sperm cells.
Prostrate Gland
The prostrate gland lies just below the bladder, where is surrounds part of the urethra. The prostrate produces an alkaline secretion, which helps neutralizes the acidity of the vaginal tract as well as enhances the mobility of the spermatozoa. The muscular tissue that makes up the prostate gland also aids in the expulsion of semen.
Bulbourethral (Cowper's Gland)
The bulbourethral or Cowper's Gland secretes a clear alkaline fluid, which neutralized the acidity of the urethra and also lubricates the urethra and penis.
The Penis
The penis is an erectile organ designed to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract during intercourse.
Female Reproduction
Ovaries
The ovaries are two small organs in which the ova or eggs are formed and released. Each month only one is released for potential fertilization. The ovaries are also responsible for the secretion of estrogen and progesterone.
Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
The oviducts or fallopian tubes are muscular structures that transport the ova from a point near the ovary to the uterus.
Uterus
The Uterus is the organ in which a fertilized egg is embedded, allowing for the growth of a fetus until it reaches maturity. The opening to the uterus is called the cervix. It is through this opening that sperm enters into the uterus thus allowing for fertilization of the ovum.
Vagina
The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside world.
Breasts
The breasts contain mammary glands, which are responsible for the production of milk during lactation.
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Products For Endocrine And Reproductive Health
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This information is provided for educational purposes only.
The descriptions of nurtritional supplements are based on the historical usage of the various ingredients. They are not intended to promote any direct or implied health claims, and actual results of usage can vary.
The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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