List of human hormones

The following is a list of hormones found in Homo sapiens. Spelling is not uniform for many hormones. For example, current North American and international usage is estrogen, gonadotropin, while British usage retains the Greek digraph in oestrogen and favors the earlier spelling gonadotrophin (from trophē ‘nourishment, sustenance’ rather than tropē ‘turning, change’).

Amino acid

Name	Abbreviation	Tissue	Cells	Receptor	Target Tissue	Effect
Epinephrine	EPI	adrenal gland		adrenergic receptor	nearly all tissues	blood pressure, glycogenolysis, lipolysis, etc.
Melatonin	MT	pineal gland		melatonin receptor	CNS and peripheral tissue	circadian rhythm
Triiodothyronine	T3	peripheral tissue of thyroid gland		thyroid hormone receptor	nearly every cell in the body	increased metabolism
Thyroxine	T4	thyroid gland		thyroid hormone receptor		similar effect as T3 but much weaker

Eicosanoid

Name	Abbreviation	Tissue	Cells	Receptor	Target Tissue	Effect
Prostaglandins	PG	seminal vesicle		prostaglandin receptor		vasodilation
Leukotrienes	LT		white blood cells	G protein-coupled receptors		increase vascular permeability
Prostacyclin	PGI2	endothelium		prostacyclin receptor
Thromboxane	TXA2		platelets	thromboxane receptor		vasoconstriction

Peptide

Name	Abbreviation	Tissue	Cells	Receptor	Target Tissue	Effect
Amylin (or Islet Amyloid Polypeptide)	IAPP	pancreas	pancreatic β-cells	amylin receptor		slowing down gastric emptying, inhibition of digestive secretion, and reducing food intake
Anti-Müllerian hormone (or Müllerian inhibiting factor or hormone)	AMH	testes	Sertoli cell	AMHR2		Inhibit release of prolactin and TRH from anterior pituitary
Adiponectin	Acrp30	adipose tissue		adiponectin receptors
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (or corticotropin)	ACTH	anterior pituitary	corticotrope	ACTH receptor → cAMP		synthesis of corticosteroids (glucocorticoids and androgens) in adrenocortical cells
Angiotensinogen and angiotensin	AGT	liver		angiotensin receptor → IP3		vasoconstriction release of aldosterone from adrenal cortex dipsogen.
Antidiuretic hormone (or vasopressin, arginine vasopressin)	ADH	posterior pituitary	Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons in hypothalamus Magnocellular neurosecretory cells in posterior pituitary	AVPRs, VACM-1		retention of water in kidneys moderate vasoconstriction Release ACTH in anterior pituitary
Atrial-natriuretic peptide (or atriopeptin)	ANP	heart		ANP receptor → cGMP
Brain natriuretic peptide	BNP	heart	Cardiac myocytes	NPR		(To a minor degree than ANP) reduce blood pressure by: reducing systemic vascular resistance, reducing blood water, sodium and fats
Calcitonin	CT	thyroid gland	parafollicular cell	CT receptor → cAMP		Construct bone, reduce blood Ca2+
Cholecystokinin	CCK	duodenum		CCK receptor		Release of digestive enzymes from pancreas Release of bile from gallbladder Hunger suppressant
Corticotropin-releasing hormone	CRH	hypothalamus		CRF1 → cAMP		Release ACTH from anterior pituitary
Cortistatin	CORT	cerebral cortex	inhibitory neurons	Somatostatin receptor		depression of neuronal activity; induction of slow-wave sleep; reduction of locomotor activity; activation of cation selective currents not responsive to somatostatin
Enkephalin		Kidney	Chromaffin cells	Opioid receptor		Regulate pain
Endothelin		Vascular endothelium	Endothelial cells	ET receptor		Smooth muscle contraction of medium-sized vessels
Erythropoietin	EPO	kidney	Extraglomerular mesangial cells	EpoR		Stimulate erythrocyte production
Follicle-stimulating hormone	FSH	anterior pituitary	gonadotrope	FSH receptor → cAMP		In female: stimulates maturation of Graafian follicles in ovary. In male: spermatogenesis, enhances production of androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells of the testes
Galanin	GAL	central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract		GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3		modulation and inhibition of action potentials in neurons
Gastric inhibitory polypeptide	GIP	mucosa of the duodenum and the jejunum	K cell	GIPR		Induces insulin secretion
Gastrin	GRP	stomach, duodenum	G cell	CCK2		Secretion of gastric acid by parietal cells
Ghrelin		stomach	P/D1 cell	ghrelin receptor		Stimulate appetite, secretion of growth hormone from anterior pituitary gland
Glucagon	GCG	pancreas	alpha cells	Glucagon receptor → cAMP		glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in liver increases blood glucose level
Glucagon-like peptide-1	GLP1	ileum	L cells	GLP1R, GLP2R	pancreatic beta cells	Stimulates the adenylyl cyclase pathway, resulting in increased synthesis and release of insulin
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone	GnRH	hypothalamus		GnRH receptor → IP3		Release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone	GHRH	hypothalamus		GHRH receptor → IP3		Release GH from anterior pituitary
Hepcidin	HAMP	liver		ferroportin		inhibits iron export from cells
Human chorionic gonadotropin	hCG	placenta	syncytiotrophoblast cells	LH receptor → cAMP		promote maintenance of corpus luteum during beginning of pregnancy Inhibit immune response, towards the human embryo.
Human placental lactogen	HPL	placenta				increase production of insulin and IGF-1 increase insulin resistance and carbohydrate intolerance
Growth hormone	GH or hGH	anterior pituitary	somatotropes	GH receptor		stimulates growth and cell reproduction Release Insulin-like growth factor 1 from liver
Inhibin		testes, ovary, fetus	Sertoli cells of testes granulosa cells of ovary trophoblasts in fetus	anterior pituitary		Inhibit production of FSH
Insulin	INS	pancreas	beta cells	insulin receptor, IGF-1, IGF-2		Intake of glucose, glycogenesis and glycolysis in liver and muscle from blood intake of lipids and synthesis of triglycerides in adipocytes Other anabolic effects
Insulin-like growth factor (or somatomedin)	IGF	liver	Hepatocytes	insulin receptor, IGF-1		insulin-like effects regulate cell growth and development
Leptin	LEP	adipose tissue		LEP-R		decrease of appetite and increase of metabolism.
Lipotropin	LPH	anterior pituitary	Corticotropes			lipolysis and steroidogenesis, stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin
Luteinizing hormone	LH	anterior pituitary	gonadotropes	LHR → cAMP		In female: ovulation In male: stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone
Melanocyte stimulating hormone	MSH or α-MSH	anterior pituitary/pars intermedia	Melanotroph	melanocortin receptor → cAMP		melanogenesis by melanocytes in skin and hair
Motilin	MLN	Small intestine		Motilin receptor		stimulates gastric activity
Orexin		hypothalamus		OX1, OX2		wakefulness and increased energy expenditure, increased appetite
Oxytocin	OXT	posterior pituitary	Magnocellular neurosecretory cells	OXT receptor → IP3		release breast milk Contraction of cervix and vagina Involved in orgasm, trust between people. and circadian homeostasis (body temperature, activity level, wakefulness).
Pancreatic polypeptide		Pancreas	PP cells	pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1		Self-regulation of pancreatic secretions (endocrine and exocrine). It also affects hepatic glycogen levels and gastrointestinal secretions.
Parathyroid hormone	PTH	parathyroid gland	parathyroid chief cell	PTH receptor → cAMP		increase blood Ca2+: indirectly stimulate osteoclasts Ca2+ reabsorption in kidney activate vitamin D (Slightly) decrease blood phosphate: (decreased reuptake in kidney but increased uptake from bones activate vitamin D)
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide	PACAP	multiple		ADCYAP1R1, VIPR1, VIPR2		Stimulates enterochromaffin-like cells
Prolactin	PRL	anterior pituitary, uterus	lactotrophs of anterior pituitary Decidual cells of uterus	PRL receptor		milk production in mammary glands sexual gratification after sexual acts
Prolactin releasing hormone	PRH	hypothalamus				Release prolactin from anterior pituitary
Relaxin	RLN	Corpus luteum, Uterus, placenta, and Mammary gland	Decidual cells	RLN receptor		Unclear in humans
Renin		Kidney	Juxtaglomerular cells			Activates the renin-angiotensin system by producing angiotensin I of angiotensinogen
Secretin	SCT	duodenum	S cell	SCT receptor		Secretion of bicarbonate from liver, pancreas and duodenal Brunner's glands Enhances effects of cholecystokinin Stops production of gastric juice
Somatostatin	SRIF	hypothalamus, islets of Langerhans, gastrointestinal system	delta cells in islets Neuroendocrince cells of the Periventricular nucleus in hypothalamus	Somatostatin receptor		Inhibit release of GH and TRH from anterior pituitary Suppress release of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), enteroglucagon in gastrointestinal system Lowers rate of gastric emptying Reduces smooth muscle contractions and blood flow within the intestine Inhibit release of insulin from beta cells Inhibit release of glucagon from alpha cells Suppress the exocrine secretory action of pancreas.
Thrombopoietin	TPO	liver, kidney, striated muscle	Myocytes	TPO receptor	megakaryocytes	produce platelets
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (or thyrotropin)	TSH	anterior pituitary	thyrotropes	Thyrotropin receptor → cAMP	thyroid gland	secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone	TRH	hypothalamus	Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons	TRHR → IP3	anterior pituitary	Release thyroid-stimulating hormone (primarily) Stimulate prolactin release
Vasoactive intestinal peptide	VIP	gut, pancreas, and suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus		Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor		stimulates contractility in the heart, causes vasodilation, increases glycogenolysis, lowers arterial blood pressure and relaxes the smooth muscle of trachea, stomach and gall bladder

Steroid

Chemical class	Name	Abbreviation	Tissue	Cells	Receptor	Target Tissue	Effect
androgen	Testosterone		testes	Leydig cells	AR		libido, Anabolic: growth of muscle mass and strength, increased bone density, growth and strength, Virilizing: maturation of sex organs, formation of scrotum, deepening of voice, growth of beard and axillary hair.
adrinal	kortizol	aldostiron	fhea	testraction, ovary, youngy
androgen	Dehydroepiandrosterone	DHEA	testes, ovary, kidney	Zona fasciculata and Zona reticularis cells of kidney theca cells of ovary Leydig cells of testes	AR		Virilization, anabolic
androgen	Androstenedione		adrenal glands, gonads		AR		Substrate for estrogen
androgen	Dihydrotestosterone	DHT	multiple		AR		5-DHT or DHT is a male reproductive hormone that targets the prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, seminal vesicles, penis and scrotum and promotes growth/mitosis/cell maturation and differentiation. Testosterone is converted to 5-DHT by 5alpha-reductase, usually with in the target tissues of 5-DHT because of the need for high concentrations of 5-dht to produce the physiological effects.
mineralocorticoid	Aldosterone		adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa)		MR		Increase blood volume by reabsorption of sodium in kidneys (primarily) Potassium and H+ secretion in kidney.
estrogen	Estradiol	E2	females: ovary, males testes	females: granulosa cells, males: Sertoli cell	ER		Females: Structural: promote formation of female secondary sex characteristics stimulate endometrial growth increase uterine growth maintenance of blood vessels and skin reduce bone resorption increase hepatic production of binding proteins Coagulation: increase circulating level of factors 2, 7, 9, 10, antithrombin III, plasminogen increase platelet adhesiveness Fluid balance: salt (sodium) and water retention increase growth hormone increase cortisol, SHBG Gastrointestinal tract: reduce bowel motility increase cholesterol in bile Lung function: promote lung function by supporting alveoli. Males: Prevent apoptosis of germ cells
estrogen	Estrone		ovary	granulosa cells, Adipocytes	ER
estrogen	Estriol	E3	placenta	syncytiotrophoblast	ER
glucocorticoid	Cortisol		adrenal cortex (zona fasciculata and zona reticularis cells)		GR		Stimulation of gluconeogenesis Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue Mobilization of amino acids from extrahepatic tissues Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
progestogen	Progesterone		ovary, adrenal glands, placenta (when pregnant)	Granulosa cells theca cells of ovary	PR		Support pregnancy: Convert endometrium to secretory stage Make cervical mucus permeable to sperm Inhibit immune response, e.g. towards the human embryo. Decrease uterine smooth muscle contractility Inhibit lactation Inhibit onset of labor Support fetal production of adrenal mineralo- and glucosteroids Other: Raise epidermal growth factor-1 levels Increase core temperature during ovulation Reduce spasm and relax smooth muscle (widen bronchi and regulate mucus) Antiinflammatory. Regulate immune response Reduce gall-bladder activity Normalize blood clotting and vascular tone, zinc and copper levels, cell oxygen levels, and use of fat stores for energy Assist in thyroid function and bone growth by osteoblasts Resilience in bone, teeth, gums, joint, tendon, ligament and skin healing by regulating collagen Nerve function and healing by regulating myelin Prevent endometrial cancer by regulating effects of estrogen
secosteroid	Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3)		skin/proximal tubule of kidneys		VDR		Active form of vitamin D3 Increase absorption of calcium and phosphate from gastrointestinal tract and kidneys inhibit release of PTH
secosteroid	Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3)		skin/proximal tubule of kidneys		VDR		Inactive form of vitamin D3