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Growth Hormone Pulses

Meaning

Growth Hormone (GH) pulses describe the characteristic, intermittent bursts of growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland, rather than a continuous, steady release. This pulsatile pattern is a fundamental feature of the neuroendocrine regulation of the somatotropic axis. The amplitude and frequency of these pulses are highly variable, influenced by age, sex, sleep cycles, nutritional status, and the balance of regulatory hormones like Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin. Understanding this pulsatility is vital for diagnosing and treating growth hormone deficiency or excess.