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Age-Related Somatotropin Decline

Meaning

The physiological reduction in the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH), or somatotropin, that occurs progressively with advancing chronological age is defined as Age-Related Somatotropin Decline. This decline is a key endocrinological change associated with the clinical syndrome known as somatopause, leading to measurable alterations in body composition and metabolic function. Clinically, this phenomenon is characterized by significantly lower basal and stimulated GH levels, reflecting a diminished secretory output from the anterior pituitary gland. The progressive loss of this anabolic signal contributes directly to sarcopenia and visceral adiposity.