| prolactin-inhibiting hormone | A substance of hypothalamic origin capable of inhibiting the synthesis and release of prolactin. Synonym: prolactin-inhibiting factor, prolactin-inhibiting hormone. Origin: prolactin + G. Stasis, standing still, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |
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| prolactin release-inhibiting hormone | <chemical> A polypeptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus that inhibits the release of prolactin. Chemical name: Prolactin release-inhibiting factor (12 Dec 1998) |
| prolactin-releasing hormone | A polypeptide hormone that originates in the hypothalamus and stimulates the secretion of prolactin in the pituitary gland. (12 Dec 1998) |
| proparathyroid hormone | The immediate precursor of parathyroid hormone; proparathyroid differs from parathyroid hormone by an N-terminal hexapeptide extension. (05 Mar 2000) |
| herz hormone | A substance present in extracts of cardiac tissue that augments cardiac contraction; possibly adenosine, a catecholamine, or some non-specific stimulant present generally in tissues. Synonym: cardiac hormone, heart hormone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hormone | <endocrinology> A naturally occuring substance secreted by specialised cells that affects the metabolism or behaviour of other cells possessing functional receptors for the hormone. Hormones may be hydrophilic, like insulin, in which case the receptors are on the cell surface or lipophilic, like the steroids, where the receptor can be intracellular. Some cancers may be stimulated and others inhibited by hormones (for example breast and prostate cancer). Some hormones can be synthesised and used as replacement in glandular deficiencies or as treatment for some cancers. Hormones may be injected, others taken by mouth. (29 Sep 1997) |
| hormone, aldosterone | Hormone produced by the outer portion (cortex) of the adrenal gland that regulates the balance of water and electrolytes (ions such as potassium and sodium) in the body. Aldosterone encourages the kidney to excrete potassium into the urine and to retain sodium, thereby retaining water. Aldosterone is classified as a mineralocorticoid hormone. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, androgenic | Any hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics. Testosterone is an androgen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone antagonists | Chemical substances which inhibit the function of the endocrine glands, the biosynthesis of their secreted hormones, or the action of hormones upon their specific sites. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, cortisol | The primary stress hormone. Cortisol is the major natural glucocorticoid in humans. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, glucocorticoid | A hormone that predominantly affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and,to a lesser extent, fats and proteins (and has other effects). Glucocorticoids are made in the outside portion (the cortex) of the adrenal gland and chemically classed as steroids. Cortisol is the major natural glucocorticoid. The term glucocorticoid also applies to equivalent hormones synthesised in the laboratory. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin | A human hormone made by chorionic cells (in the foetal part of the placenta), hcg is directed at the gonads and stimulates them. Hcg becomes detectable (by immunologic means) within days of the time of fertilization. It therefore forms the foundation of most common pregnancy tests. The level of hcg in maternal serum enters as one component in the double and the triple screens used during pregnancy to assign risks of down syndrome and other foetal disorders. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, mineralocorticoid | A group of hormones, the most important being aldosterone, that regulate the balance of water and electrolytes (ions such as sodium and potassium) in the body. The mineralocorticoid hormones act specifically on the tubules of the kidney. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, parathormone | Hormone made by the parathyroid gland (behind the thyroid gland in the neck). Parathormone (pronounced para-thor-mone) is critical to calcium and phosphorus balance. Deficiency of parathormone results in abnormally low calcium in the blood (hypocalcaemia). Also call parathyrin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hormone, parathyrin | See Hormone, parathormone. (12 Dec 1998) |