Growth hormone (gh)

Definition

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It plays a crucial role in regulating body composition, muscle and bone growth, and metabolism, making it vital for overall development and health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Growth hormone is secreted in pulses, with the highest levels typically occurring during sleep, particularly in the first few hours after falling asleep.
2. In children, adequate levels of growth hormone are essential for normal physical development, while in adults, it helps maintain muscle mass and bone density.
3. GH also influences metabolism by promoting protein synthesis, increasing fat breakdown, and regulating carbohydrate metabolism.
4. Excessive production of growth hormone can lead to conditions such as acromegaly in adults, characterized by abnormal growth of bones and tissues.
5. Therapeutic use of synthetic growth hormone is common in treating growth disorders in children and hormone deficiencies in adults.

Review Questions

• How does growth hormone influence both childhood development and adult health?
  • Growth hormone is vital for childhood development as it stimulates growth in bones and muscles, ensuring proper height and body composition. In adults, it helps maintain muscle mass, bone density, and overall metabolism. A deficiency in GH during childhood can lead to stunted growth, while an imbalance in adults can affect physical health and metabolic functions.
• Discuss the relationship between growth hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) in the context of metabolic regulation.
  • Growth hormone stimulates the liver and other tissues to produce Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which plays a key role in mediating the anabolic effects of GH on tissues. IGF-1 promotes cell growth and development, influencing muscle hypertrophy and bone density. This relationship shows how GH impacts metabolism not just through direct actions but also by activating IGF-1 pathways that enhance overall metabolic health.
• Evaluate the implications of abnormal growth hormone levels on health outcomes, including potential disorders related to excess or deficiency.
  • Abnormal levels of growth hormone can lead to significant health issues. Excessive GH production can result in acromegaly, leading to enlarged bones and tissues, while deficiencies during childhood can cause dwarfism or impaired physical development. In adults, GH deficiency may result in decreased muscle mass and increased fat accumulation, raising the risk for metabolic diseases. Understanding these implications emphasizes the need for balanced GH levels for optimal health.

Related terms

Somatotropin: Another name for growth hormone, emphasizing its role in stimulating growth and development.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1): A hormone produced in response to growth hormone that mediates many of its effects on growth and metabolism.

Hypopituitarism: A condition characterized by insufficient production of one or more pituitary hormones, which can lead to growth hormone deficiency and stunted growth.