Assignment task: What can you say about the discussion below?
Growth Hormone (GH), also called somatotropin, is a non-steroid peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. GH promotes the growth of bone and muscle mass and influences the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
The primary target tissues or organs of GH are bones and muscles. GH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in liver cells, promoting the cartilage cells and bone cells to differentiate and reproduce.
When HGH is under-secreted, it can lead to hypo pituitary dwarfism, which can cause short stature, delayed puberty, and delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics.
When HGH is oversecreted, it can result in gigantism, where the person may grow to a height of up to 8 feet. In adults, it can cause acromegaly, a condition where the person does not grow taller, but the internal organs may continue to grow larger and the bones may thicken.