Growth hormone

Growth hormone is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary. It promotes tissue growth and protein synthesis and helps regulate metabolism, partly through insulin-like growth factor 1.

Growth hormone–releasing hormone: A hypothalamic peptide that stimulates growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary. It provides a principal stimulatory signal for pituitary release.
Anterior pituitary: The glandular front portion of the pituitary that produces and secretes several hormones. It is the source of growth hormone in the endocrine system.
Growth hormone deficiency: A condition in which inadequate growth hormone secretion or action impairs growth or other physiological functions. It illustrates the consequences of too little hormone action.
Prolactin: A pituitary peptide hormone best known for stimulating milk production and influencing reproductive functions. It is structurally related to growth hormone but has distinct principal functions.
Somatostatin: A peptide hormone that inhibits growth hormone secretion and also regulates other endocrine functions. It counterbalances growth hormone–releasing hormone at the pituitary.
Hypothalamus: A brain region that regulates endocrine and autonomic functions, including pituitary hormone release. It controls growth hormone secretion through releasing and inhibiting signals.
Acromegaly: A disorder, usually caused by a pituitary tumor, in which excess growth hormone enlarges adult tissues. It is a characteristic consequence of hormone excess after growth plates close.
Insulin: A pancreatic peptide hormone that lowers blood glucose and regulates nutrient storage and use. Its metabolic actions differ from growth hormone’s tendency to oppose some insulin effects.
Growth hormone receptor: A cell-surface receptor that binds growth hormone and activates intracellular signaling, including the JAK–STAT pathway. Receptor activation converts circulating hormone into cellular responses.
Peptide hormone: A hormone composed of amino acids that binds cell-surface receptors to affect target cells. Growth hormone’s peptide structure shapes its transport and receptor-based action.

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