Book excerpt: The Hormones: Physiology, Chemistry and Applications, Volume III covers the chemistry, physiology, and methods of analysis of various plant and animal hormones. This book is organized into 15 chapters that are mostly revision or reassessment of previous information presented in Volumes I and II. The first two chapters describe the chromatographic separation of plants hormones, particularly auxins, as well as hormones in invertebrates. These topics are followed by a chapter on the production, transport, storage, release, and mode of action of neurohormones. Significant chapters are devoted to the chemistry and physiology of secreted hormones, including parathyroid, pituitary, Islets of Langerhans, growth, lactogenic, thyroid, steroid, and sex hormones. The role and influence of these hormones on vital body processes are also discussed. The last chapter emphasizes the progress in understanding the principles and approaches in clinical endocrinology. This volume will be of great value to endocrinologists, physiologists, and biochemists.