Redirected from Human Growth Hormone
Together with human chorionic sommatotropin (hCS) and prolactin (PRL) it forms a group of hormones with growth-promoting and lactogenic activity.
The main action of hGH is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to produce IGF-1. Hepatic IGF-1 is believed to be a homeostatic regulator of tissue growth on the level of the whole organism. Tissue IGF-1 is said to possess autocrine properties. During developmental stages hGH is essential to promoting linear growth; it stimulates the growth of bone and muscle. Other actions of hGH:
It is the most abundant hormone produced by the pituitary. The production
of hGH peaks during the rapid-growth phase of adolescence, then steadily
drops with increasing age. HGH in the blood is only active for a few minutes.
In this short time, it activates the production of the [[Insulin-like growth
factor]] 1 (IGF-1) in the liver. Production of the hormone in the pituitary is
pulsatile and the quantity produced depends on age and sex. The most frequent
and highest peaks of production appear in pubertal age.
hGH also stimulates the immune system and increases body mass.
Diseases associated with hGH:
See also:
For more information see also Growth hormone.
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