Lipid soluble hormones have a steroid structure. They are insoluble in blood plasma hence they travel via the bloodstream, attached to water soluble proteins. On reaching the destined cell, through diffusion, they act on the cell’s internal receptors (Cefalu, & Pardridge, 2014)). An example of such is the androgen hormone, produced by the males’ testes for the stimulation of sperm production and development, and maintenance of their sexual behavior and characteristics.
Water soluble hormones, on the other hand, have a peptide and amino acid-based structure. They are water soluble and freely travel in the bloodstream. However, they are unable to go through nonpolar cellular membranes (Roth, & Grunfeld, 2015). Hence, they are joined to receptors found on the membrane surface that as a result transmits a chemical signal inside a cell to trigger a feedback (Maitra, & Abbas, 2009). An example of a water-soluble hormone is insulin which is key in triggering metabolism and uptake of glucose and its subsequent conversion into glycogen and finally to fat.
The negative system occurs that regulates the levels of androgen hormone by instructing the brain to slow the release of both GnRH and FSH. The levels of insulin released from the beta cells are regulated by the negative feedback system (Maitra, & Abbas, 2009). It is these beta cells of the pancreas being stimulated with variations on blood glucose level.
The adrenal glands produces the adrenal androgens which play a part in development of early male sexual organs and female sexual organs during puberty and in this way generating and distinguishing between males and females. The glucocortids, also produced by the adrenal glands, an example being the cortisol is responsible for body metabolism regulation and response during stress. The ovaries produce the progesterone and estrogen hormones. The progesterone maintains the uterine lining during pregnancy and parts of the menstrual cycle. The estrogen hormone on the other hand stimulates the production of the Luteinizing Hormone by the pituitary glands during pregnancy (Maitra, & Abbas, 2009).
References
Cefalu, W. T., & Pardridge, W. M. (2014). Restrictive Transport of a Lipid‐Soluble Peptide (Cyclosporin) Through the Blood–Brain Barrier. Journal of neurochemistry, 45(6), 1954-1956.
Maitra, A., & Abbas, A. K. (2009). The Endocrine System. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 8, 1107-1126.
Roth, J. E., & Grunfeld, C. A. (2015). Mechanism of Action of Peptide Hormones and Catecholamines. In Textbook of Endocrinology (pp. 76-122). WB Saunders Philadelphia.
