The endocrine system developed during evolution from single cells to multi-cellular organisms as a means of communication through chemical signals that coordinates multiple organic functions. The investigation of these chemical signals in the early years of the twentieth century gave origin to the science of endocrinology, which refers to the study of a group of specialized secretory organs called endocrine glandsthat deliver their products, called hormonesor first messengers, directly into the interstitial space and enter the circulatory system. Endocrine glands are called internal glandsto differentiate from exocrine glands, which deliver their products through ducts into the gastrointestinal tract or outside the body.
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- 5α-DHT:
-
5α-dihydrotestosterone
- ACTH:
-
adrenocorticotropic hormone
- ADH:
-
antidiuretic hormone
- aFGF:
-
acidic fibroblast growth factor
- AMH:
-
antimüllerian hormone or Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS)
- AR:
-
androgen receptors
- BDNF:
-
brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- bFGF:
-
basic fibroblast growth factor
- BMP:
-
bone morphogenic proteins
- cGMP:
-
cyclic guanosine monophosphate
- CNS:
-
central nervous system
- CNTF:
-
ciliary neurotrophic factor
- CO:
-
carbon monoxide
- CRF:
-
corticotropin-releasing factor
- CSF:
-
colony-stimulating factor
- eCG:
-
equine chorionic gonadotropin
- EGF:
-
epidermal growth factor also known as urogastrone
- ER:
-
estrogen receptors
- FGF:
-
fibroblast growth factor or heparin-binding growth factors
- FSH:
-
follicle-stimulating hormone
- GABA:
-
γ-aminobutyric acid
- GDF-9:
-
growth differentiation factor-9
- GH:
-
growth hormone
- GHIH:
-
GH inhibitory hormone
- GHRF:
-
growth hormone releasing factor
- GMP:
-
guanosine monophosphate
- GnRH:
-
gonadotropin releasing hormone, also called LH releasing hormone, LHRH HB-
- HB-EGF:
-
heparin-binding EGF
- hCG:
-
human chorionic gonadotropin
- HGF:
-
hepatocyte growth factor
- IGF-I:
-
insulin-like growth factor-I or somatomedin-C
- IGF-II:
-
insulin-like growth factor-II
- KAF:
-
keratinocyte autocrine factor or amphiregulin
- KGF:
-
keratocyte growth factor
- LH:
-
luteinizing hormone
- LIF:
-
leukemia inhibitory factor
- MIS:
-
Müllerian-inhibiting substance or antimüllerian hormone, AMH
- NGFs:
-
the family of nerve growth factors, including nerve growth factor
- NO:
-
nitric oxide
- NT-3:
-
neurotropin-3
- NT-6:
-
neurotropin-6
- P450arom:
-
cytochrome P450 aromatase
- PACAP:
-
pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide
- PDGFs:
-
platelet-derived growth factors
- PRL:
-
prolactin
- SCF/KL:
-
stem cell factor/Kit ligand
- SRIF:
-
somatotropin release-inhibiting factor or somatostatins also called GHIH
- T3:
-
triiodothyronine
- T4:
-
thyroxine
- TGF:
-
transforming growth factor
- TNF:
-
tumor necrosis factor
- TRH:
-
thyrotropin releasing hormone
- TSH:
-
thyroid stimulating hormone
- VEGF:
-
vascular endothelial growth factor
- VIP:
-
vasointestinal peptide
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Chedrese, P.J. (2009). Introduction to the Molecular Organization of the Endocrine/Reproductive System. In: Chedrese, P. (eds) Reproductive Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_1
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