Hormone released
Main target
Function
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Adrenal glands
Stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol is important in controlling your metabolism, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. It is also an anti-inflammatory agent, and helps your body to resist certain stresses such as bleeding or fasting.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Ovaries (women)
Testes (men)
Stimulates the ovaries to produce an ovum (egg) for fertilisation. Also causes an increase in the hormone oestrogen.
Stimulates the testes to produce sperm.
Growth hormone (GH)
Many different cells of the body
The most well-known effect in children is to increase height. In adults and children it helps to control the amount of muscle and fat in the body. It also helps to heal injuries and it promotes your immune system.
Luteinising hormone (LH)
Ovaries (women)
Testes (men)
Triggers ovulation - the release of what will become an ovum (egg) ready for fertilisation.
Stimulates cells in the testes to produce testosterone
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Brain?
The exact role in humans is unknown. It may influence brain activity; when too much is present, it may cause darkening of the skin.
Prolactin
Breasts
Together with other hormones, prolactin stimulates the breasts to produce milk.
It is also found in women who aren’t pregnant. Men also have prolactin, but its function is not understood well.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Thyroid gland
TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce its own hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
These hormones help to control many bodily functions, including heart rate, temperature and metabolism.
