1 INTRODUCTION 1
What is endocrinology？ 2
What do hormones do？ 2
Types of hormone：their synthesis and secretion 4
The transport and metabolism of hormones 7
Important concepts in endocrine regulation 8
Endocrine disorders 10
Endocrine investigations：general principles 12
2 RECEPTORS AND HORMONE ACTION 15
Introduction 16
General characteristics of receptors 16
Types of hormone receptors 17
Cell-membrane receptors 17
Hormonal regulation of transcription 23
Intracellular receptors 24
Disorders of receptor function 26
3 THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND PITUITARY PART Ⅰ：THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND POSTERIOR PITUITARY 27
Introduction 28
Where can I find the hypothalamus and pituitary？ 28
Connection between the hypothalamus and pituitary 31
Development of the hypothalamus and pituitary 31
The hormones of the hypothalamus 31
The hormones of the posterior pituitary 32
Release of posterior pituitary hormones is part of a neuroendocrine reflex：oxytocin secretion and actions 32
Regulation of vasopressin secretion 33
Actions of arginine vasopressin 34
Disorders of vasopressin secretion and action 35
Thirst 36
Other hypothalamic hormones 37
4 THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND PITUITARY PART Ⅱ:THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY 39
Introduction 40
Structure of the anterior pituitary 40
The hormones of the anterior pituitary 41
Regulation of hormone secretion in the anterior pituitary 43
Growth hormone and prolactin in blood 46
Actions of the anterior pituitary hormones growth：hormone and prolactin 46
Disorders of anterior pituitary function：over-secretion 48
Disorders of under-secretion of anterior pituitary hormones 49
Tests for hypopituitarism 50
Insufficient growth hormone secretion 50
5 THE ADRENAL GLANDS PART Ⅰ：THE ADRENAL MEDULLA 53
Introduction 54
Where to find the adrenal glands 54
Blood supply 54
Nerve supply 55
Embryology of the adrenal gland 55
The adrenal medulla 55
Disorders of the adrenal medulla：phaeochromocytoma 59
Familial phaeochromocytoma 59
Pharmacological uses of hormones of the adrenal medulla 60
6 THE ADRENAL GLANDS PART Ⅱ:THE ADRENAL CORTEX 61
Introduction 62
Structure of the adrenal cortex 62
Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex 62
Regulation of steroid production 66
Transport of steroid hormones in blood 68
Disorders of adrenal steroids 71
Pharmacological use of glucocorticoids 73
7 THE THYROID GLAND 75
Introduction 76
Thyroid anatomy 77
Whatis a goitre？ 77
Blood supply 77
Structure of the thyroid 78
Synthesis of thyroid hormones 78
Iodine 79
Thyroxine and T3：the thyroid hormones in blood 79
Control of thyroid function 81
Cellular action of thyroid hormones 82
Effects of thyroid hormones 82
Disorders of thyroid hormone secretion 83
Causes of thyroid hyposecretion 85
Effects of thyroid hormone insufficiency：myxoedema 85
8 HORMONAL CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION PART Ⅰ：MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 87
Introduction 88
Where are the testes？ 88
What are the testes？ 89
Testicular blood and nerve supply 90
Spermatogenesis 91
Androgen production 91
Hormonal control of testicular function 91
Transport of testosterone in blood 93
Actions of testosterone 93
Hormone-dependent cancer in men 95
Disorders of male reproduction 96
Therapeutic uses of androgens 97
Abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids 97
Declining sperm counts 98
9 HORMONAL CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION PART Ⅱ:FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 99
Introduction 100
Structure of the ovary 100
Ovarian hormones 100
Transport and metabolism of oestrogen and progesterone 102
Oestrogens 102
Androgen secretion by the ovaries 104
Hormonal regulation of ovarian function 105
Hormone-dependent cancer in women 105
The menstrual cycle 105
Disorders of the menstrual cycle 108
The endocrinology of pregnancy 110
10 HORMONAL CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION PART Ⅲ:DEVELOPMENT AND FERTILITY 115
Introduction 116
Gender determination and differentiation 116
Hormonal control of sexual differentiation 116
Abnormalities of sexual differentiation 117
Hormones during development：puberty and menarche 118
Disorders of puberty 119
Menopause and the climacteric 121
Premature ovarian failure 122
Symptoms of the menopause 122
Hormone replacement therapy 123
Alternative therapies 125
Hormonal control of fertility：contraception 125
Hormonal control of fertility：assisted conception 126
11 INSULIN AND THE REGULATION OF PLASMA GLUCOSE 129
Introduction 130
Glucose in urine 130
Insulin and the response to high blood glucose levels 131
Disorders of blood glucose regulation：diabetes mellitus 135
Gestational diabetes 143
The metabolic syndrome—a growing problem？ 143
12 HORMONAL REGULATION OF PLASMA CALCIUM AND CALCIUM METABOLISM 147
Introduction 148
Serum calcium 148
The structure,functions and endocrinology of bone 149
Hormones involved in the regulation of serum calcium 151
Parathyroid hormone 151
Calcitriol：source and activation of vitamin D 153
Effects of other hormones on plasma calcium 156
Disorders of hypercalcaemia 156
Disorders of hypocalcaemia 157
Diseases of bone 158
A brief mention of calcitonin 159
Regulation of serum phosphate 159
13 MISCELLANEOUS HORMONES 161
Erythropoietin 162
Immune-endocrine interactions：cytokines and eicosanoids 163
Age-related changes in hormone secretion 164
Melatonin 164
Gut hormones 166
The hormonal control of appetite：fat is an endocrine tissue 167
Multiple organ disorders in endocrinology 168
Regulation of blood pressure and volume 169
The next 100 years of endocrinology 169
Glossary 171
Index 173