Hypothalamus
Also known as: hypothalamic
The brain region that governs the endocrine system, releasing GHRH and somatostatin to control the pituitary.
The hypothalamus is a small region at the base of the brain that links the nervous and endocrine systems. It controls the pituitary by releasing regulating hormones into a local blood supply.
For the GH axis it releases two opposing signals: GHRH, which tells the pituitary to release growth hormone, and somatostatin, which tells it to stop. Research secretagogues work with this natural control system.
RELATED TERMS
Pituitary Gland
The "master gland" at the base of the brain that releases growth hormone and other hormones on hypothalamic command.
GHRH
Growth-Hormone-Releasing Hormone — the hypothalamic hormone that signals the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Somatostatin
The hypothalamic hormone that inhibits growth-hormone release — the "off switch" opposing GHRH.
Growth Hormone (GH)
The pituitary hormone driving growth, repair and metabolism; the target of secretagogue rather than direct-supply research.
Secretagogue
A substance that prompts a gland to secrete a hormone — e.g. a GH secretagogue triggers the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Educational content, not medical advice. All products supplied for research purposes only — not for human consumption.