Growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin, also known as human growth hormone
(hGH or HGH) in its human form, is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth,
cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus
important in human development. GH also stimulates production of IGF-1 and
raises the concentration of glucose and free fatty acids.It is a type of mitogen
which is specific only to the receptors on certain types of cells.
GH is a 191-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide that is synthesized, stored
and secreted by somatotropic cells within the lateral wings of the anterior pituitary gland.