Growth hormone

A hormone made in the pituitary gland that stimulates the release of another hormone called somatomedin by the liver, thereby causing growth. Growth hormone is synonymous with somatotropin and somatropin. More specifically (and technically), growth hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary, the front section of the gland, and is a polypeptide consisting of 191 amino acids. It induces increased protein synthesis, increased mobilization of free fatty acids, and decreased glucose utilization. Growth hormone is given to children with pituitary dwarfism (short stature due to underfunction of the anterior pituitary) to help them grow.

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growth hormone n a vertebrate polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and regulates growth also a recombinant version of this hormone called also somatotropic hormone, somatotropin see human growth hormone

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(GH, somatotrophin)

a hormone, synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland, that promotes growth of the long bones in the limbs and increases protein synthesis (via somatomedin). Its release is controlled by the opposing actions of growth-hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin. Excessive production of growth hormone results in gigantism before puberty and acromegaly in adults. Lack of growth hormone in children causes dwarfism.

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(GH) 1. any of several related anterior pituitary hormones secreted episodically by the adenohypophysis that affect protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism and control the rate of skeletal and visceral growth; their secretion is in part controlled by the hypothalamus. The major form of human growth hormone (hGH) is a single chain of 191 amino acids (about 21,500 daltons). Called also somatotrophin, somatotropin, and somatotrophic or somatotropic h. 2. a preparation of human growth hormone for pharmaceutical use; see somatropin and somatrem. 3. any substance that stimulates growth, such as a growth factor (q.v.).