Endocrine Flashcards
(157 cards)
Hormones
secreted into the circulation in very small amounts to produce a biologic effect at distant target organs or cells
Role of the Endocrine System
Regulates secretion of hormones from several peripheral organs under direction of hypothalamus (HPT) in concert with the hypophysis or pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
small area located in ventral aspect of diencephalon flanking each side of third ventricle, almost directly above the caudal pharynx
Pituitary Gland
- Located just below hypothalamus, connected via infundibular stalk
- Adenohypohysis/anterior pituitary = 3 parts
- Posterior Pituitary/Neurohyphophysis = 2 parts
- circumventricular organ
Parts of the Adenohyphophysis
3 parts
1. Pars tuberalis
2. Pars Intermedia
3. Pars distalis
Parts of Neurohyposis
- Infundibular stalk
- Pars Nervosa
Function, role of Adenohypophysis
✧ Functions like a true endocrine gland, producing and secreting hormones that target pancreas, thyroid glands, adrenal glands, reproductive organs, and the intestine
✧ Secretion by AP controlled by releasing hormones from HPT, feedback (usually negative) from serum levels of hormones produced by target tissues, ex thyroxine, cortisol, others
Function, role of Neurohypophysis
✧ Not a typical endocrine gland, actually an extension of HPT, composed of axons of neurons located in supraoptic, paraventricular nuclei of HPT that extend into pars nervosa
✧ Release hormones produced in HPT (oxytocin, vasopressin) into venous circulation of PP
✧ Primarily a conduit between HPT, peripheral circulation
Function, role of Neurohypophysis
✧ Not a typical endocrine gland, actually an extension of HPT, composed of axons of neurons located in supraoptic, paraventricular nuclei of HPT that extend into pars nervosa
✧ Release hormones produced in HPT (oxytocin, vasopressin) into venous circulation of PP
✧ Primarily a conduit between HPT, peripheral circulation
Exception to control of endocrine function by HPA?
PTH secreted in response to serum [Ca] NOT via circulating horses
Role of the hypothalamus
monitors homeostatic parameters, serum concentrations of numerous substances; secretes ‘releasing’ or ‘inhibiting’ hormones into special portal circulation connected directly to AP, and/or activates neurons that stimulate secretion of hormones into peripheral circulation via pars nervosa of PP
How Hormones Interact with Targets
- Cross cell membranes without assistance, interact with structures inside nuclei to alter cellular function (steroids are lipophilic)
- Attach to a membrane receptor, triggering a second messenger system that activates or inhibits cellular activities to produce a biologic effect (Peptides, proteins cannot cross cell membranes)
Difference btw AP, PP
AP secretes trophic hormones that stimulate target endocrine glands to produce and secrete other hormones that directly affect tissues/cells
PP differs, secretes hormones that directly affect target tissues
Hormones
- Proteins
- Steroids
- Amines
Proteins
Proteins (corticotropin, growth hormone, insulin), Peptides (oxytocin, vasopressin)
✧ Produced as large precursor molecules → cleaved to active form, stored in secretory granules within cells
✧ Move through the circulation dissolved in plasma
Steroids
(glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, sex hormones)
✧ synthesized from cholesterol (liver). Not stored, but synthesized/released as needed
✧ transported bound to specific carrier molecules
Amines
DOP, melatonin, epi
Pancreas
Nodular, bilobed gland within mesentery at angle where duodenum meets stomach
Dog = 2 pancreatic ducts, cats = 1
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs
Deficiency in insulin secondary to β cell destruction (same as type-1 DM in people)
✧ High-risk breeds: Australian Terrier, Miniature/Standard Schnauzers, Samoyed, Miniature/Toy Poodles, Cairn Terrier, Keeshond, Bichon Frise, Finnish Spitz
✧ Female > Male
✧ 4-14 y.o (most frequently diagnosed 7-10 y.o)
Basic Mechanism of DM
Inadequate insulin secretion or response to control hyperglycemia
Diabetes Mellitus in Cats
Insulin resistance, eventual exhaustion of β cells (same as type-2 DM in people)
✧ No high-risk breeds (maybe Burmese)
✧ Obesity is the risk factor
✧ Male > Female
✧ 10-13 y.o
Clinical Signs of DM
due to inability of cells to utilize carbohydrates as metabolic fuel = hyperglycemia
When [Glu] in plasma exceeds renal threshold for proximal tubular reabsorption of Glu from filtrate…
✧ glucosuria (osmotic diuresis) → PU/PD
✧ Threshold; 200 mg/dL in dogs, 250-300 mg/dL in cats
Polyphagia, weight loss
Cataracts (dog)
Cats with chronic DM develop a peripheral neuropathy = plantigrade posture (10% of cats)
BW Changes with DM
⮚ Hyperglycemia, Glucosuria,
⮚ +/- increased WBC secondary infection, liver enzymes, hypercholesterolemia, azotemia in dehydrated patients
⮚ Potential electrolyte disorders: hypokalemia, hyper-/hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, hypochloremia
⮚ Blood gas in DKA may low HCO3- and high AG
Monitoring of BG
Glu curves or fructosamine (poor control if greater than 500mg/dL)
✧ Poor reliability of Glu curves for predicting glycemic control