What is the Origin of Endogenous GH Pulse?

The term combines 'endogenous,' meaning originating within the organism, with 'GH Pulse,' which describes the characteristic, non-steady secretory pattern of the hormone. Early endocrinology research utilized frequent blood sampling to reveal this pulsatile nature, distinguishing it from continuous hormone secretion. The pulse pattern is now recognized as a key regulatory feature of the somatotropic axis.

What is the Mechanism of Endogenous GH Pulse?

The generation of these pulses is tightly controlled by the hypothalamus, which secretes two opposing neurohormones: Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH), which stimulates GH release, and somatostatin, which inhibits it. The interplay of these two signals dictates the frequency and amplitude of the endogenous GH pulses, with GHRH surges overriding the inhibitory effect of somatostatin to produce a secretory burst. This complex neuroendocrine mechanism ensures that GH is released in a biologically optimal, time-dependent manner to exert its metabolic and anabolic effects.

Endogenous GH Pulse

Meaning

An Endogenous GH Pulse refers to the natural, intermittent, and pulsatile release of Growth Hormone (GH) from the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland, occurring spontaneously within the body. This secretion is not continuous but rather characterized by bursts or pulses, with the largest and most significant pulse typically occurring shortly after the onset of deep sleep. This rhythmic release pattern is fundamental to GH’s physiological actions, including growth, metabolism, and body composition regulation.