Question

Describe briefly about the various endocrine glands centered the process of spermatogenesis.

Answer 1

Glands are organs that discharge or secrete certain chemical substances to be utilized by the body. Endocrine glands are type of glands which discharge or secrete substances called hormones directly into the blood stream. Major glands of the endocrine system are:

1. Pituitary gland – Anterior pituitary secretes Growth Hormone (GH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH). Posterior pituitary secretes oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin otherwise called as Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH).

Secretions from the pituitary gland function in maintaining normal growth in children, stimulating release of other hormones which help in ovulation in women and spermatogenesis in men, hormones that help in lactation after delivery, secretion of melanin, and hormones responsible for maintaining water balance in the body which affects blood pressure.

2. Pineal gland – secretes melatonin, which plays a major role in the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) of the body.

3. Hypothalamus – secretes Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH), Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH), Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH), somatostatin otherwise called as Growth Hormone Release Inhibiting Hormone (GHIH), Prolacating Releasing Hormone (PRH), Prolactin Release Inhibiting Hormone (PIH), oxytocin and vasopressin.

Secretions from the hypothalamus are involved in various functions such as release of thyroid hormone, hormones responsible for sexual maturation, normal growth of an individual, for promoting lactation in women, etc.

4. Thyroid gland – secretes Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4).

5. Parathyroid gland – secretes Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) otherwise called as parathormone.

6. Pancreas – Beta cells secrete insulin and alpha cells secrete glucagon.

7. Adrenal glands – Adrenal cortex secretes steroid hormones like glucocorticoids (cortisone, hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoids (aldosterone). Adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline (epinephrine) and nor-adrenaline (norepinephrine).

8. Testes – secrete male sex hormone called testosterone (an important androgenic hormone).

9. Ovaries – secrete female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

10. Thymus – secretes thymosin, which induces development of T-lymphocytes.