Abstract
The vital role of thyroid hormones, insulin, glucagon, corticosteroids, and catecholamines in regulating metabolism is a key for an animal’s optimal growth and survival. The thyroid hormones (THs) are derived from tyrosine and have a permissive effect on growth hormone (GH) to produce growth, reproduction, and lactation in domestic animals.
Apart from the THs, optimal secretion of insulin from the pancreas is responsible to mediate the growthpromoting effects of GH. As the only hypoglycemic hormone present in animals, the optimal secretion of insulin is a prerequisite for increasing glucose uptake in skeletal muscles and adipose tissue. Furthermore, the secretion of glucocorticoids and catecholamines from the adrenal gland alters the metabolic status of an animal to combat various stressors effectively. Whereas, the mineralocorticoids regulate the standard concentration of sodium and potassium ions in the blood, which is essential for the establishment of resting membrane potential in almost all cells. In addition to the aforementioned cations, the tight regulation of extracellular fluid (ECF) Ca2+ levels by hormones such as parathormone (PTH), calcitriol, and calcitonin is crucial for the excitation of neurons, skeletal muscles, and smooth muscles. Overall, the endocrine system warrants proper metabolic health by controlling energy homeostasis and mineral balance in animals.B. A. A. Sai Kumar (X)
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Kurumbapet, Puducherry, India
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023
P. K. Das et al. (eds.), Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9410-4_16
Graphical Abstract
Description of the graphic: Role of the endocrine system in regulating metabolic health of animals (1). Hormones secreted from the thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, pancreas, and adrenal gland modulate a variety of metabolic processes to maintain optimal energy and mineral balance in animals (2). Hormonal regulation of blood glucose levels. [MCs mineralocorticoids; GCs glucocorticoids; T3 triiodothyronine; T4 tetraiodothyronine.]
Keywords
Thyroid hormones ∙ Pancreas ∙ Corticosteroids ∙ Parathormone ∙ Calcitriol
Learning Objectives
• Biosynthesis and target effects of thyroid hormones
• Endocrine functions of the pancreas
• Role of insulin and glucagon in regulating intermediary metabolism
• Regulation of Na+ and K+ in ECF by aldosterone
• Biological effects of cortisol on metabolism
• Calcium homeostasis by parathormone, calcitriol, and calcitonin
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