The Somatotropin Axis, also widely known as the Growth Hormone (GH) axis, is a critical neuroendocrine regulatory system comprising the hypothalamic hormones, pituitary somatotroph cells, and the peripheral hormone Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). This axis primarily governs somatic growth, cellular proliferation, and metabolic regulation throughout the lifespan. Clinical assessment of this axis is essential for accurately diagnosing and managing growth disorders, as well as understanding its profound role in metabolic health and the aging process.
Origin
The term combines “somatotropin,” another name for growth hormone, derived from the Greek soma (body) and trope (a turning/nourishment), with “axis,” denoting a central, hierarchical system of regulation. The primary components of this axis were identified and characterized between the 1920s and 1970s, establishing the neuroendocrine control of growth.
Mechanism
The axis operates through a classic, tightly controlled negative feedback loop. Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary to secrete GH. GH then acts directly on target tissues, notably the liver, to stimulate the production of IGF-1. IGF-1, the primary mediator of growth, then feeds back to inhibit GH secretion at both the pituitary and hypothalamic levels, ensuring tight control over the systemic anabolic drive and metabolic effects.
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