Growth Hormone Secretion is the regulated, pulsatile release of Somatotropin (GH) from the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland into the peripheral circulation. This hormone plays a pivotal role in mediating somatic growth during development and maintaining metabolic balance, including lipolysis and protein synthesis, in adulthood. The timing and amplitude of these secretory events are tightly controlled by hypothalamic input. Optimal secretion profiles are critical for tissue anabolism and regenerative capacity.
Origin
The term is a precise physiological description of the release mechanism for the hormone responsible for growth and maturation processes. It specifically denotes the output phase of the somatotropic axis originating in the anterior pituitary. This secretion is fundamentally linked to the sleep-wake cycle and nutritional status.
Mechanism
Secretion is governed by a delicate balance of hypothalamic peptides: Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) acts as the primary secretagogue, stimulating adenylate cyclase and cAMP production, while Somatostatin acts as an inhibitory signal by decreasing cAMP. These opposing signals converge on the somatotrophs, determining the frequency and magnitude of GH pulses. Nutritional state, particularly low glucose or high amino acids, also modulates this central regulatory input.
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