Somatotropic Hormone, also known as Growth Hormone, is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth and cell reproduction in humans and animals. The word "somatotropic" is pronounced as /soʊmətoʊˈtrɒpɪk/ with the stress on the second syllable. The word is composed of three parts: "soma," meaning body, "tropic," meaning to stimulate, and "hormone," which is self-explanatory. Thus, "somatotropic" refers to a hormone that stimulates growth of the body. Understanding the phonetic transcription can aid in the proper pronunciation and spelling of this important hormone.
Somatotropic hormone, also known as growth hormone (GH), is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in growth, metabolism, and maintenance of various bodily functions. It acts on numerous target tissues throughout the body to stimulate cell growth, protein synthesis, and tissue repair.
The somatotropic hormone is primarily responsible for the regulation of skeletal and muscular growth, promoting long bone elongation in children and adolescents. It also enhances the deposition of protein in tissues and stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the liver. IGFs further promote growth by stimulating cell division and differentiation, primarily in bones and cartilage.
Beyond its role in growth, the somatotropic hormone also affects metabolism. It stimulates lipolysis, promoting the breakdown of stored fat and increasing the release of fatty acids into the bloodstream for energy production. Additionally, it inhibits glucose uptake in fat cells, indirectly increasing blood glucose levels.
The secretion of somatotropic hormone is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus through the release of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin. GHRH stimulates the release of somatotropic hormone, while somatostatin inhibits its release. Other factors such as sleep, stress, exercise, and nutritional status also influence somatotropic hormone secretion.
Abnormal levels of somatotropic hormone can lead to various disorders. Excessive secretion of growth hormone during childhood results in gigantism, characterized by excessive growth in height and overall size. In adults, excessive growth hormone can lead to acromegaly, characterized by enlargement of the hands, feet, jaw, and other facial features. Insufficient secretion of somatotropic hormone can result in growth hormone deficiency, stunting growth in
The word "somatotropic hormone" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "soma" meaning "body" and "tropos" meaning "turn" or "direction", and the word "hormone" derived from the Greek word "hormon" meaning "that which sets in motion".
The term "somatotropic" refers to the hormone's role in regulating growth and development of the body. Specifically, it is associated with the growth hormone (GH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. GH stimulates cell growth, reproduction, and regeneration throughout the body.