Skip to main content

Endogenous GH Secretion

Meaning

The natural, physiologically controlled release of Growth Hormone (GH) from the somatotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland within the human body. This secretion is pulsatile, characterized by bursts of release interspersed with periods of low or undetectable levels, with the largest pulse typically occurring shortly after the onset of deep sleep. Endogenous GH secretion is tightly regulated by the hypothalamic hormones Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin, and by feedback mechanisms involving Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). Maintaining a healthy pattern of this secretion is vital for metabolic function, body composition, and tissue maintenance throughout the lifespan.