# 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 uses [citation needed] estrogen and gonadotropin, while British usage retains the Greek digraph in oestrogen and favours the earlier spelling gonadotrophin.

## Hormones listing

| SN | Name | Abbr. | Type | Tissue | Cells | Receptor | Target tissue | Effect |
| 1 | Adrenaline (or epinephrine) | EPI | Amino acid derivative | adrenal gland | Adrenal medulla / Tyrosine | adrenergic receptor | nearly all tissues | increase systolic blood pressure, glycogenolysis, lipolysis, increase cardiac output, influence goosebumps, etc. |
| 2 | Melatonin | MT | Amino acid derivative | pineal gland | Pinealocyte / Tryptophan | melatonin receptor | CNS and peripheral tissue | sleep–wake cycle |
| 3 | Noradrenaline (or norepinephrine) | NE | Amino acid derivative | adrenal gland | Adrenal medulla / Tyrosine | noradrenergic receptor | nearly all tissues | increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycogenolysis, lipolysis increases metabolism, etc. |
| 4 | Triiodothyronine | T$_3$ | Amino acid derivative | peripheral tissue of thyroid gland | Thyroid follicular cell / Tyrosine | thyroid hormone receptor | nearly every cell in the body | increased metabolism |
| 5 | Thyroxine | T$_4$ | Amino acid derivative | thyroid gland | Thyroid follicular cell / Tyrosine | thyroid hormone receptor | nearly every cell in the body | Control carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and control physical, mental growth of body |
| 6 | Dopamine | DA | Amino acid derivative | substantia nigra (mainly) | Phenylalanine / Tyrosine | D1 and D2 | system-wide | regulation of cellular cAMP levels, prolactin antagonist |
| 7 | Prostaglandins | PG | Eicosanoid | All nucleated cells | | prostaglandin receptor | | vasodilation |
| 8 | Leukotrienes | LT | Eicosanoid | Blood | white blood cells | G protein-coupled receptors | | increase vascular permeability |
| 9 | Prostacyclin | PGI$_2$ | Eicosanoid | | | prostacyclin receptor | | vasodilation, platelet activation inhibitor |
| 10 | Thromboxane | TXA$_2$ | Eicosanoid | Blood | platelets | thromboxane receptor | | vasoconstriction, Platelet Aggregation |
| 11 | Amylin (or Islet Amyloid Polypeptide) | IAPP | Peptide | pancreas | pancreatic β-cells | amylin receptor | | slowing down gastric emptying, inhibition of digestive secretion, in order to reduce food intake |
| 12 | Anti-Müllerian hormone (or Müllerian-inhibiting factor/hormone) | AMH (or MIF or MIH) | Peptide | testes | Sertoli cell | AMHR2 | | Inhibit release of prolactin and TRH from anterior pituitary |
| 13 | Adiponectin | Acrp30 | Peptide | adipose tissue | | adiponectin receptors | | regulating glucose levels |
| 14 | Adrenocorticotropic hormone (or corticotropin) | ACTH | Peptide | anterior pituitary | corticotrope | ACTH receptor → cAMP | | synthesis of corticosteroids (glucocorticoids and androgens) in adrenocortical cells |
| 15 | Angiotensinogen and Angiotensin | AGT | Peptide | liver | | angiotensin receptor → IP$_3$ | | vasoconstriction release of aldosterone from adrenal cortex dipsogen. |
| 16 | Antidiuretic hormone (or vasopressin, arginine vasopressin) | ADH | Peptide | posterior pituitary | Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons in hypothalamus Magnocellular neurosecretory cells in posterior pituitary | AVPRs, VACM-1 | Renal tubules of nephrons of Kidneys (mainly) | reabsorption of water in kidneys moderate vasoconstriction increase permeability of diastal tubule of nephrons (in Kidneys) to water Release ACTH in anterior pituitary |
| 17 | Atrial natriuretic peptide (or atriopeptin) | ANP | Peptide | heart | | ANP receptor → cGMP | | increase sodium and GFR excretion, antagonize venal constriction, inhibit renin secretion |
| 18 | Brain natriuretic peptide | BNP | Peptide | heart | Cardiac myocytes | NPR | | (To a minor degree than ANP) reduce blood pressure by: reducing systemic vascular resistance, reducing blood water, sodium and fats |
| 19 | Calcitonin | CT | Peptide | thyroid gland | parafollicular cell | CT receptor → cAMP | | Construct bone, reduce blood Ca$^{2+}$ |
| 20 | Cholecystokinin | CCK | Peptide | duodenum | | CCK receptor | | Release of digestive enzymes from pancreas Release of bile from gallbladder Hunger suppressant |
| 21 | Corticotropin-releasing hormone | CRH | Peptide | hypothalamus | | CRF1 → cAMP | | Release ACTH from anterior pituitary |
| 22 | Cortistatin | CORT | Peptide | 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 |
| 23 | Enkephalin | | Peptide | Kidney | Chromaffin cells | Opioid receptor | | Regulate pain |
| 24 | Endothelin | | Peptide | Vascular endothelium | Endothelial cells | ET receptor | | Smooth muscle contraction of medium-sized vessels |
| 25 | Erythropoietin | EPO | Peptide | kidney | Extraglomerular mesangial cells | EpoR | | Stimulate erythrocyte production |
| 26 | Follicle-stimulating hormone | FSH | Peptide | 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 |
| 27 | Galanin | GAL | Peptide | central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract | | GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3 | | modulation and inhibition of action potentials in neurons |
| 28 | Gastric inhibitory polypeptide | GIP | Peptide | mucosa of the duodenum and the jejunum | K cell | GIPR | | Induces insulin secretion |
| 29 | Gastrin | GAS | Peptide | stomach, duodenum | G cell | CCK$_2$ | | Secretion of gastric acid by parietal cells |
| 30 | Ghrelin | | Peptide | stomach | P/D1 cell | ghrelin receptor | | Stimulate appetite, secretion of growth hormone from anterior pituitary gland |
| 31 | Glucagon | GCG | Peptide | pancreas | alpha cells of Islets of Langerhans | Glucagon receptor → cAMP | | glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in liver, activates lipase enzyme in adipose tissue cells, increases blood glucose level, inhibits storage of triglyceride in liver |
| 32 | Glucagon-like peptide-1 | GLP1 | Peptide | ileum | L cells | GLP1R, GLP2R | pancreatic beta cells of Islets of Langerhans | Stimulates the adenylyl cyclase pathway, resulting in increased synthesis and release of insulin |
| 33 | Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone | GnRH | Peptide | hypothalamus | | GnRH receptor → IP$_3$ | pituitary gland | Release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary. |
| 34 | Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone | GHRH | Peptide | hypothalamus | | GHRH receptor → IP$_3$ | pituitary gland | Release GH from anterior pituitary |
| 35 | Hepcidin | HAMP | Peptide | liver | | ferroportin | | inhibits iron export from cells |
| 36 | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin | HCG | Peptide | placenta | syncytiotrophoblast cells | LH receptor → cAMP | | promote maintenance of corpus luteum during beginning of pregnancy, Inhibit immune response, towards the human embryo, serves as the basis of early pregnancy test |
| 37 | Human placental lactogen | HPL | Peptide | placenta | | | | increase production of insulin and IGF-1 increase insulin resistance and carbohydrate intolerance |
| 38 | Growth hormone | GH or hGH | Peptide | anterior pituitary | somatotropes | GH receptor | | stimulates growth and cell reproduction Release Insulin-like growth factor 1 from liver |
| 39 | Inhibin | | Peptide | testes, ovary, fetus | Sertoli cells of testes granulosa cells of ovary trophoblasts in foetus | | anterior pituitary | Inhibit production of FSH |
| 40 | Insulin also called hypoglycemic hormone and anti ketogenic hormone | | | Peptide | pancreas | beta cells of Islets of Langerhans | insulin receptor, IGF-1, IGF-2 | | Intake of glucose, promotes glycogenesis, prevents glycogenolysis and neoglucogenesis, intake of lipids, synthesis of triglycerides in adipocytes, helps in oxidation of sugar through Krebs cycle, inhibits production of ketone bodies, inactivates phosphorylase enzyme, Other anabolic effects |
| 41 | Insulin-like growth factor (or somatomedin) | IGF | Peptide | liver | Hepatocytes | insulin receptor, IGF-1 | | insulin-like effects regulate cell growth and development |
| 42 | Leptin | LEP | Peptide | adipose tissue | | LEP-R | | decrease of appetite and increase of metabolism. |
| 43 | Lipotropin | LPH | Peptide | anterior pituitary | Corticotropes | | | lipolysis and steroidogenesis, stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin |
| 44 | Luteinizing hormone | LH | Peptide | anterior pituitary | gonadotropes | LHR → cAMP | | In female: ovulation In male: stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone |
| 45 | Melanocyte stimulating hormone | MSH or α-MSH | Peptide | anterior pituitary/pars intermedia | Melanotroph | melanocortin receptor → cAMP | | melanogenesis by melanocytes in skin and hair |
| 46 | Motilin | MLN | Peptide | Small intestine | | Motilin receptor | | stimulates gastric activity |
| 47 | Orexin | | Peptide | hypothalamus | | OX$_1$, OX$_2$ | | wakefulness and increased energy expenditure, increased appetite |
| 48 | Osteocalcin | OCN | Peptide | Skeleton | Osteoblasts | Gprc6a | Muscle Brain Pancreas Testes | Favors muscle function, memory formation, testosterone synthesis and energy expenditure |
| 49 | Oxytocin | OXT | Peptide | posterior pituitary | Magnocellular neurosecretory cells | OXT receptor → IP$_3$ | | release breast milk Stimulates contraction of cervix and vagina. Involved in orgasm, trust between people, and circadian homeostasis (body temperature, activity level, wakefulness). |
| 50 | Pancreatic polypeptide | | Peptide | Pancreas | PP cells | pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1 | | Self-regulation of pancreatic secretions (endocrine and exocrine). It also affects hepatic glycogen levels and gastrointestinal secretions. |
| 51 | Parathyroid hormone | PTH | Peptide | parathyroid gland | parathyroid chief cell | PTH receptor → cAMP | | increase blood Ca$^{2+}$: indirectly stimulate osteoclasts Ca$^{2+}$ reabsorption in kidney activate vitamin D (Slightly) decrease blood phosphate: (decreased reuptake in kidney but increased uptake from bones activate vitamin D ) |
| 52 | Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide | PACAP | Peptide | multiple | | ADCYAP1R1, VIPR1, VIPR2 | | Stimulates enterochromaffin-like cells |
| 53 | Prolactin (or leuteotropic hormone) | PRL | Peptide | anterior pituitary, uterus | lactotrophs of anterior pituitary Decidual cells of uterus | PRL receptor | | milk production in mammary glands sexual gratification after sexual acts |
| 54 | Prolactin-releasing hormone | PRLH | Peptide | hypothalamus | | | | Release prolactin from anterior pituitary |
| 55 | Relaxin | RLN | Peptide | Corpus luteum, Uterus, placenta, and Mammary gland | Decidual cells | RLN receptor | | Relaxation of muscle and ligament tissues in female humans as preparation for menstruation. Anticipatory release for ductus deferens in males. Cardiac vasodilator. |
| 56 | Renin | | Peptide | Kidney | Juxtaglomerular cells | | | Activates the renin–angiotensin system by producing angiotensin I of angiotensinogen |
| 57 | Secretin | SCT | Peptide | 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 |
| 58 | Somatostatin (or growth hormone–inhibiting hormone or growth hormone release–inhibiting hormone or somatotropin release–inhibiting factor or somatotropin release–inhibiting hormone) | GHIH or GHRIH or SRIF or SRIH | Peptide | 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. |
| 59 | Thrombopoietin | TPO | Peptide | liver, kidney, striated muscle | Myocytes | TPO receptor | megakaryocytes | produce platelets |
| 60 | Thyroid-stimulating hormone (or thyrotropin) | TSH | Peptide | anterior pituitary | thyrotropes | Thyrotropin receptor → cAMP | thyroid gland | secrete thyroxine (T$_4$) and triiodothyronine (T$_3$) |
| 61 | Thyrotropin-releasing hormone | TRH | Peptide | hypothalamus | Parvocellular neurosecretory neurons | TRHR → IP$_3$ | anterior pituitary | Release thyroid-stimulating hormone (primarily) Stimulate prolactin release |
| 62 | Vasoactive intestinal peptide | VIP | Peptide | 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 |
| 63 | Guanylin | GN | Peptide | gut | | guanylate cyclase 2C (heat stable enterotoxin receptor) | | regulates electrolyte and water transport in intestinal epithelia. |
| 64 | Uroguanylin | UGN | Peptide | renal tissues | | guanylate cyclase 2C (heat stable enterotoxin receptor) | | regulates electrolyte and water transport in renal epithelia. |

## Steroid

| Name | Chemical Class | Abbreviation | Tissue | Cells | Receptor | Effect |
| Testosterone | androgen | | testes, ovary | 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. |
| Dehydroepiandrosterone | androgen | DHEA | testes, ovary, kidney | Zona fasciculata and Zona reticularis cells of kidney theca cells of ovary Leydig cells of testes | AR | Virilization, anabolic |
| Androstenedione | androgen | | adrenal glands, gonads | | AR | Substrate for estrogen |
| Dihydrotestosterone | androgen | 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. |
| Aldosterone | mineralocorticoid | | adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa) | | MR | Increase blood volume by reabsorption of sodium in kidneys (primarily) Potassium and H$^+$ secretion in kidney. |
| Estradiol | estrogen | E$_2$ | 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 |
| Estrone | estrogen | | ovary | granulosa cells, Adipocytes | ER | |
| Estriol | estrogen | E$_3$ | placenta | syncytiotrophoblast | ER | |
| Cortisol | glucocorticoid | | 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 |
| Progesterone | progestogen | | 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 |
| Calcitriol | secosteroid (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D$_3$) | | skin/proximal tubule of kidneys | | VDR | Active form of vitamin D$_3$ Increase absorption of calcium and phosphate from gastrointestinal tract and kidneys inhibit release of PTH |
| Calcidiol | secosteroid (25-hydroxyvitamin D$_3$) | | skin/proximal tubule of kidneys | | VDR | Inactive form of vitamin D$_3$ |