1. Anatomy and physiology of
endocrine systems

2. The “classic” endocrine glands
Hypothalamus technically not a gland!
It is part of the brain
Ovary and testes come from same source
Stomach has a lot going on too…..more to come…

3. The Autonomic Nervous System Two opposing divisions:
Sympathatic (controls
“stress” response)
Parasympathetic (controls
“recovery” response)
Work in opposition in
different tissues and organs
Ejaculation is the only one not activated when symp. Response triggered
Orgasm is a sympathetic event (spanking)

4. Steroid or peptide release
Top-down
Hypothalamic releasing factors
Pituitary peptide release
Action on target tissues
Bottom-up
Steroid or peptide release
from target tissue
Pars nervosa aka posteriror pituitary
High stress = hig [cortisol] = brain damage = PTSD = permanent change in hippocampus functioning
This can be triggered during another traumatic event later in their life
Jame lang/cannon bard theory: emotional response first or physical response first?
Neither were incorrect because we have bottom up and top down. Both occur, even sometimes simultaneously
In other words, both theories are correct
Redundancy in place for fail-safe mechanism
Action on target tissues
Feedback on brain and
pituitary

5. Neuroendocrine systems: HPG Axis
FSH -> testes : makes sperm
FSH -> ovaries: makes egg
LH also acts on both testes and ovaries
LH in males in continuous
LH in females in cyclic [in mammals, that is]
Opiates/heroine, increase NA , you become acyclic
Highly stressed out individuals also have way too high NA …become acyclic….

6. Another view of the HPG axis
Progesterone inhibits both….because system assumes you’re pregnant….you can’t have another ovarian cycle, will disrupt pregnancy

7. Ovulation
Leutinazation: looks yellow under microscope

8. Estrogen is also a growth factor
Highest sex drive between day 12-16
The anxiety sometimes kicks in with the drop of progesterone
Not because of menstruation
Water retained in ISF ….swells up…you can feel it…
Drinking water will help get rid of this excess water

9. Wheel-running by female rats
This data is from 1920s
Every 4 days it goes way up; they didn’t know rats were on a 4 day cycle
Running is a behavior: in the real world, this is for mating
Also run to release of stress

10. Neuroendocrine systems: HPA Axis
Stress could be good too!
(e.g. sex, eating followed by digestion, etc)
5-HT a.k.a. serotonin
NA = norepi. = noradrenaline
A= epi. = adrenaline
Note the role of circadian rhythm: when you’re asleep you’re less influenced by a stressor

11. HPA-Immune
Interactions

12. Regulation of prolactin release
Stress turns on prolactin if you have none
However, if you already have prolactin, DA will turn it off!

13. Regulation of vasopression and oxytocin release
Vasopressin aka antidiuretic hormone
Note POSITIVE feedback!

14. Growth Hormone