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Related Concept Videos

Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

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The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
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Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

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Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
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The Thyroid Gland01:23

The Thyroid Gland

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The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
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Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

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Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
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Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

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Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and...
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The Parathyroid Glands00:59

The Parathyroid Glands

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The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
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Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model
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Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model

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The ecological function of thyroid hormones.

Jann Zwahlen1, Emma Gairin1, Stefano Vianello2

  • 1Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|February 4, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Thyroid hormones (TH) synchronize animal development with environmental cues for survival. This hormonal system aligns crucial life transitions, like growth and reproduction, with resource availability across diverse species.

Keywords:
adaptationecologyhormone functionthyroid hormones

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Thyroid hormones (TH) are critical regulators of gene expression and biological processes.
  • TH exhibit diverse roles across species, including metamorphosis, metabolism, and seasonality.
  • Evidence suggests a conserved ecological function of TH across vertebrates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the fundamental mechanisms of thyroid signaling.
  • To illustrate the diverse roles of TH in natural environments.
  • To propose a unifying model of TH function in aligning ontogeny with environmental conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of thyroid hormone signaling mechanisms.
  • Analysis of TH roles in various species and environmental contexts.
  • Development of a conceptual model linking TH, environment, and metabolism.

Main Results:

  • TH orchestrate gene expression and vital biological processes.
  • TH ensure developmental transitions align with environmental conditions and resource availability.
  • A model is proposed linking TH signaling, environmental variation, ontogeny, and metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • TH play a conserved ecological role in synchronizing animal ontogenetic transitions with the environment.
  • This hormonal system is crucial for matching developmental stages with resource availability.
  • Understanding TH function provides insights into adaptation to environmental variability.