Check in and learn about glands that produce hormones important to regulate the body systems and activities

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM This is the complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to connect and Coordinate the body’s Metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress and mood.

It is the system of ductless glands that secrets hormones. The chemical messengers that are carried by circulatory system to target organs that regulates key body and organ function.

The role of Endocrine system in coordination of the body functions

The endocrine system responds to Simulation by secreting hormones in the circulatory system that travel to the target tissues. It sends hormones through the circulatory system to control and Coordinate body functions in much same way as the nervous system uses tiny electrical signals.

The endocrine systems and the nervous system works together to integrate in the brain and Complement each others but they tend to work at different speeds.

Glands in endocrine System that produces hormone to coordinate body functions are:

Hypothalamus; the hypothalamus connects the nervous system to the endocrine system. It receives and processes Signals from other brain regions and pathways and translate them into hormones the chemical messengers of the endocrine system. These hormones flow’s to the pituitary glands which is connected to the hypothalamus. Some hormones are stored in the pituitary gland for later release.

Pituitary gland; This is also called the master gland. It is the most influenced gland in the endocrine System. It is actually has two distinct glands in one: Its front, or anterior lobe; one major hormone and releases them into the blood stream. Behind it is the posterior (back) lobe that receives its two main hormones from the hypothalamus which lies above it and it releases hormones.
It control all other glands in endocrine system.

The pineal Gland; it secretes the hormone Melatonin, when at night in the absence of light, regulates the body’s sleep patterns and in the morning, when light hits the eye photo receptors in the retinal send signals to the pineal gland which then decrease melatonin production and one wake up.

Thyroid gland; it sits In the throat region, it secretes thyroxine that travel in the bloodstream though out to:

Increase metabolism

Regulates glucose use

Protein synthesis

Nervous system development

Also release se calcitonin which help retain blood calcium homeostasis by Causing to be removed from the blood and deposited into bones, when calcium lever too high.

Adrenal gland; secrete adrenaline hormones involved with mineral balance, metabolic control and resistant to stress, the hormone controls blood pressure, sexual development response to stress.

Pancreas: this is part of endocrine system that plays a significant role in digestive system too. It secrets. Hormones which are insulin that reduce the blood sugar level when too high and glucagon increase blood sugar level when too low. Therefore, these hormones control blood Sugar level.

Digestive tract: Secretes numerous hormones involved in coordination of the system functions, glucose metabolism and appetite.

Ovaries; in woman, the ovaries release sex hormones called estrogen, progesterone they have two ovaries in their low abdomen. Testes; in men, the testes (testicles) makes sperm and release the hormone testosterone. This hormone affect sperm production, muscle strength and sex drive.

Testes and ovaries (Gonads) secretes hormones affecting growth, metabolism and sexual characteristics, as well as the reproductive system.

The role of Endocrine system in control of the menstrual cycle.

By definition, the menstrual cycle begins with the first day of the period, which is counted as ‘Day 1’ and ends just before the next period (bleeding).

It is the female body’s way of preparing for a possible pregnancy every month.

Understanding the cycle is very important as it impacts every aspect of female well-being, including hunger and sleep.

As the hormones in body cycle change throughout the month, the body and mind also go through a number of changes. The menstrual cycle starts with the first day of the period and ends when the next period begins

The brain, ovaries, and uterus work together and communicate through hormones (chemical signals sent through the blood from one part of the body to another) to keep the cycle going.

The first part of the cycle (follicular phase) prepares an egg to be released from the ovary and builds the lining of the uterus

The second part of the cycle (luteal phase) prepares the uterus and body to either accept a fertilized egg or to start the next cycle if pregnancy does not occur. Understanding the menstrual cycle is important because it can impact the body from head to toe. changes may occur example, hair skin, bowel movements, mental health, physical strength, libido and so on, Raviele K. 2006.

The menstrual cycle is regulated by a number of different hormones. But the main ones are:

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Stimulates egg development and the release of oestrogen. Follicle-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates the functions of both the ovaries and the testes.

Lack or insufficiency of it can cause infertility in both men and women.

Follicle-stimulating hormone is one of the gonadotropic hormones, the other being the luteinizing hormone, and both are released by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream.

Follicle-stimulating hormone is essential to pubertal development. In women, this hormone stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary before the release of an egg and it also increases a type of oestrogen.

Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulates the release of the egg (called ovulation). Stimulates oestrogen and progesterone production.

Luteinizing hormone, like a follicle-stimulating hormone, is a gonadotrophic hormone produced and released by cells in the anterior pituitary gland.

The luteinizing hormone carries out different roles in the two halves of the menstrual cycle. In weeks one to two of the cycle, luteinizing hormone is required to stimulate the ovarian follicles in the ovary to produce the female sex hormone, Oestradiol.

Around day 14 of the cycle, a surge in luteinizing hormone levels causes the ovarian follicle to tear and release a mature oocyte (egg) from the ovary, a process called ovulation.

For the remainder of the cycle (weeks three to four), the remnants of the ovarian follicle form a corpus luteum.

The luteinizing hormone stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is required to support the early stages of pregnancy if fertilization occurs.

Progesterone:

According to Fraser IS, and Broder M, 2011, progesterone is the hormone that maintains the uterine lining. Inhibits LH after ovulation. Follicle-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates the functions of both the ovaries and the testes.

Progesterone belongs to a group of steroid hormones called progestogens. It is mainly secreted by the corpus luteum in the ovary during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

It plays Important role in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.

During the menstrual cycle, when an egg is released from the ovary at ovulation (approximately day 14), the remnants of the ovarian follicle that enclosed the developing egg form a structure called the corpus luteum. This releases progesterone and, to a lesser extent, Oestradiol.

If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, the production of progesterone falls and a new menstrual cycle begins.

If the egg is fertilized, progesterone stimulates the growth of blood vessels that supply the lining of the womb (endometrium) and stimulates glands in the endometrium to secrete nutrients that nourish the early embryo.

Oestrone

Oestrogen: causes growth of the uterine lining. Inhibits FSH. Stimulates the release of LH and hence release of the egg. Inhibits LH after ovulation.

Oestrogen is one of the main female sex hormones. While both women and men produce oestrogen, it plays a bigger role in women’s bodies.

It has many roles in the body, from controlling puberty to strengthening bones. Having too much or too little oestrogen can cause a range of different medical conditions.

Oestriol is the main oestrogen produced during pregnancy, mostly in the placenta.

Oestrone, produced by the adrenal glands and fatty tissue, is the only type of oestrogen produced after menopause.

HORMONES INVOLVED IN THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Oestradiol

Oestradiol is a steroid hormone made from cholesterol and is the strongest of the three naturally produced oestrogen.

It is the main oestrogen found in women and has many functions, although it mainly acts to mature and maintain the female reproductive system.

A natural increase in blood Oestradiol concentrations during the menstrual cycle causes an egg to mature and be released.

Another important role of Oestradiol is to thicken the lining of the uterus so that the egg can implant if it becomes fertilized.

Oestradiol also promotes the development of breast tissue and increases both bone and cartilage density.

In Conclusion

“With great power comes great responsibility”

Taking good care of ones menstrual cycle with tailored exercise routines, nutrition structures and healthy lifestyles is of great important.