Growth Hormone (GH)
Also known as: GH · somatotropin · human growth hormone
The pituitary hormone driving growth, repair and metabolism; the target of secretagogue rather than direct-supply research.
Growth hormone (GH, somatotropin) is a protein hormone released by the anterior pituitary in pulses, mainly during deep sleep. It drives tissue growth and repair, and influences the metabolism of fat, protein and glucose — much of it via IGF-1.
In peptide research the emphasis is on prompting the body’s own GH: GHRH analogs and GHRPs are studied as secretagogues that work within the natural pulsatile, feedback-controlled system, rather than supplying hormone directly.
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RELATED TERMS
GHRH
Growth-Hormone-Releasing Hormone — the hypothalamic hormone that signals the pituitary to release growth hormone.
GHRP
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide — a class acting on the ghrelin receptor to trigger pulsatile GH release.
Secretagogue
A substance that prompts a gland to secrete a hormone — e.g. a GH secretagogue triggers the pituitary to release growth hormone.
IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 — the hormone through which much of growth hormone’s effect is actually carried out.
Pituitary Gland
The "master gland" at the base of the brain that releases growth hormone and other hormones on hypothalamic command.
Somatostatin
The hypothalamic hormone that inhibits growth-hormone release — the "off switch" opposing GHRH.
Educational content, not medical advice. All products supplied for research purposes only — not for human consumption.