Biology

That thing called Hormones

8:14 AM


It's been a while since this blog is updated with a new post. This could be due to the hectic schedule post holiday, with all the buzz of the short and fast midterm. 
Anyway this blog's topic is a summary of rare diseases of Endocrine System and different hormones produced by glands, particularly from the gonads or sex organs. Sound interesting? well just keep scrolling.... and maybe like Archimedes you'll find something that will make you shout EUREKA!! 



Hormone stimulated by Sunlight

Melanocyte-stimulating Hormone - MSH




What is MSH?

     Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) isone of the several hormones secreted primarily by the anterior pituitary gland.

     This hormone regulates the synthesis and production of pigment granules called melanin in specialized cells and thereby influences changes in skin pigmentation.


What does it do to Humans?

           
    To mammals are to suppress appetite.
    Its most major effect in humans is to increase the total amount of pigment in the skin and therefore control the skin tone.
    In humans exposure to sunlight stimulates the production and secretion of MSH, which causes the skin to darken.
    This darkening results from a change in the total amount of melanin present in the melanocytes.





How does it produce melanin?
Figure 1. Mechanism of Action of alpha MSH from UV exposure

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces DNA damage in epidermal cells, and evidence supports DNA damage is a key signalling event in UVR-induced tanning, triggering increased α-MSH synthesis by keratinocytes. The secreted α-MSH binds to the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on nearby melanocytes, increasing cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase production and ultimately the activity of the melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase (Fig. 1). Increased cutaneous eumelanin production results in skin pigmentation, providing a partial barrier to penetration of UVR and visible light. In particular it forms a protective 'nuclear cap' of melanin over the nuclei of basal keratinocytes. Eumelanin also scavenges UVR-induced reactive oxygen species that can damage DNA, proteins and lipids.


Gonads

-          a sex organ that can be able to produce sperm or egg cells.
-          Either a male’s testicle or a female’s ovary


Its Hormones

First off.. what is a hormone? These are natural substances produced by our body. They also influence the way we grow and develop!



What hormones can be found the male and female gonads?

           As a component of the endocrine system, both the male and female gonads produce sex hormones or steroid hormones which can pass through cell walls to influence some cell’s genes and express them.

FEMALE HORMONES

-          ESTROGEN: also known as Estradiol, this hormone is important for the development of a female’s characteristics. It does not only bring changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle, but also to her physical feature. Some examples would be breast development, widening of the pelvis (hip bone), greater fat distribution in the hips and increased growth of body hair.
-          PROGESTERONE: this hormone prepares the uterus for birth, regulates changes during the menstrual cycle, increases sexual desire, and stimulates the development of other glands needed for the production of milk during pregnancy.
-          ACTIVIN: this hormone assists in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

MALE HORMONES

-          ANDROGEN: this hormone influences the development of the male reproductive system. NOTE that this hormone can also be found in women, but with much higher levels in med.
-          TESTOSTERONE: this sex hormone is important for the development of the male’s sex organs and sex characteristics. It is also responsible for increased muscle and bone mass, increased growth of body hair, development of broad shoulders, deepening of the voice and penis growth.
-          INHIBIN: this hormone is involved with the production and regulation of sperm cells. 


SECONDARY Sexual CHARACTERISTICS





When we say secondary sex characteristics, these are indicators of sexual maturity that develops during puberty. For males, the sex hormone testosterone is responsible for the increase in larynx size (thereby deepening one’s voice), penile growth, emergence of pubic, facial, and armpit hairs, development of the skeletal muscles, as well as elevated production of sebum and sweat. In females, estrogens account for the enlargement of the breast and nipples, development of pubic hair, vaginal growth, broadening of the hips and waist, as well as the initiation of menstruation as a response of the endometrium. Both sexes may have an increase in the levels of growth hormone and related hormones in order to promote growth and development.



Ovarian hormones & their actions

 Hormones secreted by the ovary is triggered by the release of two hormones coming from the Anterior Pituitary Gland which are the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). These two hormones are then controlled by another releasing hormone which is the GnRH or Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone coming from the Hypothalamus. The release of LH and FSH can then be triggered if a woman is preparing to ovulate, to have her monthly period, or prior to being pregnant.

The ovary secretes the following hormones:

1.       Progesterone
2.       Estrogen
3.       Inhibin
4.       Relaxin



Progesterone.  This functions mainly to regulate the condition of the inner lining (endometrium) of the uterus. In the ovaries the site of progesterone production is the corpus luteum.Progesterone is secreted after ovulation prior to being pregnant because of the Luteinizing hormone. If no fertilization (meeting of egg and sperm) occurs in the female, the corpus luteum will gradually degenerate and the endometrium will shed causing Menstruation.

Estrogen. This mainlyaffects the uterus,andmammary glands. In the ovaries, the site of estrogen production are the developing follicular cells and the corpus luteum. Estrogen help to stimulate the growth of the egg follicle. They also build and maintain the endometriumincreasing the endometriums size and weight, cell number, cell types, blood flow, protein content, and enzyme activity. Estrogens also stimulate the muscles in the uterus to develop and contract and responsible for growth of the breasts during adolescence, pigmentation of the nipples, and the eventual cessation of the flow of milk.

Relaxin and Inhibin.
Inhibin, hormone secreted by the granulosa cells in the ovaries acts primarily to inhibit the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the anterior pituitary gland. Since the major action of follicle-stimulating hormone is to stimulate the formation and function of granulosa cells, the relationship between inhibin and follicle-stimulating hormone represents a typical negative feedback servomechanism.

Relaxin is produced in the corpus luteum. Relaxin promotes the development of the nipples and mammary glands in pregnant mammals. Because of these effects, relaxin was initially thought to serve only as a pregnancy hormone.


Endocrine Disorders




Acromegaly







Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that most commonly occurs in middle-aged men and women. Acromegaly comes from Greek words “acro” (extremities) and “megaly” great because one of the most common symptoms is abnormal growth of hands and feet.
Causes and Symptoms

Cause: Pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When Growth Hormone is secreted into your bloodstream, it triggers your liver to produce a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Too much IGF-I can cause abnormal growth of your soft tissues and skeleton.


Symptoms:
·         Enlarged hands and feet
·         Coarsened, enlarged facial features
·         Coarse, oily, thickened skin
·         Excessive sweating and body odor
·         Small outgrowths of skin tissue (skin tags)
·         Fatigue and muscle weakness
·         A deepened, husky voice due to enlarged vocal cords and sinuses
·         Severe snoring due to obstruction of the upper airway
·         Impaired vision
·         Headaches
·         Enlarged tongue
·         Pain and limited joint mobility
·         Menstrual cycle irregularities in women
·         Erectile dysfunction in men
·         Enlarged liver, heart, kidneys, spleen and other organs
·         Increased chest size (barrel chest)

 Gigantism



It is a rare condition that causes abnormal growth in children because of too much production of growth hormone while epiphyseal growth plates are open during childhood.
Causes: Pituitary gland tumor is almost always the cause of gigantism. When a tumor grows on the pituitary gland, the gland makes more growth hormone than the body needs.

Symptoms:
·         Delayed puberty
·         Double vision or difficulty with side (peripheral) vision
·         Frontal bossing and a prominent jaw
·         Headache
·         Increased sweating
·         Irregular periods (menstruation)
·         Large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
·         Abnormal growth in height
·         Release of breast milk
·         Thickening of the facial features
·         Weakness




How do Gigantism and Acromegaly differ?

Acromegaly commonly occurs in middle-aged individuals while Gigantism occurs at puberty. Both are due to pituitary gland tumors but they differ on manifestation and symptoms.




Dwarfism

WHAT IS DWARFISM?

Dwarfism or restricted growth, is a condition that is typically characterized by a short stature and various other symptoms, depending on the cause of the condition. Technically, that means an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or under.



Dwarfism generally refers to a group of genetic disorders characterized by shorter than normal skeletal growth. Achondroplasia is the most common type of dwarfism. The majority of children born with this condition have average-sized parents. Abnormal skeletal growth is known as skeletal dysplasia.


Causes
· can be caused by any one of more than 300 conditions, most of which are genetic. The most common type, accounting for 70% of all cases of short stature, is called achondroplasia.

· can and most often does occur in families where both parents are of average height. In fact, 4 out of 5 of children with achondroplasia are born to average-size parents.


Diagnosis and treatment

A diagnosis of dwarfism is based primarily on measurements of the child’s height, weight and head circumference. Other factors taken into consideration include genetics, family medical history and the results of hormone tests and imaging studies.
Treatment cannot improve stature but is aimed at improving complications of the condition.

Video
The Science of Dwarfism


FUN FACTS
Midget. The term midget is considered very offensive by many people with dwarfism. Although dwarf and little person are acceptable, it is preferable that a person with dwarfism be addressed by his/her name.

Lower IQ. People with achondroplasia have "normal" intelligence. Achondroplasia affects the growth of the long bones in the body. It greatly decreases the growth in areas that have more cartilage. Since the nose is formed with cartilage, it is another body part that usually remains small.

People with achondroplasia usually produce adequate growth hormone. The change on the FGFR-3 gene, which causes achondroplasia, does not allow growth hormone to work properly. At this time, extended limb lengthening is the only procedure that would allow a person with achondroplasia to achieve average or close to average height. This procedure is controversial among some people with dwarfism.

the same as people of average height. People with achondroplasia are at the same risk for illness as that of the general population. Doctors encourage people with dwarfism to watch their weight. Extra stress on the smaller joints can cause orthopedic damage.








End. 


REFERENCE
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/478202/progesterone
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/193679/estrogen
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/496940/relaxin
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/288233/inhibin



Contributors

Cacho,Joyce Angelica
De Guzman, Trisha Mariah
Delfin, Nathaniel
Denolo, Maria Nicole
Hipe, Alyanna
Okafor, Vera Marie
Sarines, Johnathan




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60 comments

  1. Good Job! galing natin guys.. ='))

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  2. Great Info about Hormones :3

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  3. I like it how I enjoyed reading your blog :) It is really easy to understand because there are example photos and facts included. :)

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  4. Very nice. educational and attractive. kudos!

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  5. Very informative. Great job!

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  6. Extensive information regarding melanin. Good Job

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  7. Im working on my assignment.. this is helpful. Thanks!

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  8. Thanks for the facts about dwarfism!

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  9. nice blog.. :) more graphics for the visual people.. :)

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  10. Excellent...very informative in a way everybody will understand...you should do this more often...congratulations! Good job!

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  11. just what i needed for my assessment! thank you :D

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  12. amazing how hormones change people alot in terms of amount. wow haha

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  13. http://victoriousbio.blogspot.com/2015/02/fun-facts-about-your-hormones-and-not.html?showComment=1424847489135#c5936484707019332982

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  14. Wow I just earned myself some new found knowledge. (Y)

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  15. very detailed and informative :) nice

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  16. fun yet informative, good job guys!! :)

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  17. be more creative. limit the words and add more graphics to make the blog interactive and easy to read. Nevertheless, it was informative :)

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  18. Great Blog guys hahaha ang galing natin :)

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  19. easy to digest knowledge :)

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  20. keep on posting things up! your blogs are awesome. 👍👍

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  21. Very informative, but can i suggest to place your sources thanks :D

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  22. Arigato gozaimasu !

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  23. Thanks for the comments and suggestion guys! ='))

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  24. Thanks for the informations. Your blog really helps.

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  25. this blog is nice..

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  26. dwarfism.. can you consider an adult Filipino with height of 4 feet 10 inches or under. have a dwarfism? even we know that Filipinos height are averaging 5 feet under.?

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  27. Thank you for sharing these things! ❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like how the way you guys stated those facts and it's very entertaining to read. Congratulations for a job well done! ♥

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  29. Endocrinology is one of the most logical branches of medicine. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I learned a lot from this blog :)
    Good Job! Thanks :)

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  31. Unbelievable! It's nice to know about the real facts of our hormones. Great job. :D

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  32. Woah. Eureka! Hehehe thank you, ate Nicole, for recommending me this site. Now I know how I gain my complexion. Hahaha :))

    ReplyDelete

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