growth hormone

noun

1. any substance that stimulates or controls the growth of an organism, especially a species-specific hormone, as the human hormone somatotropin, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. : GH

growth hormone

noun

1. a hormone synthesized in and secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that promotes growth of the long bones in the limbs and increases the synthesis of protein essential for growth Also calledsomatotrophinhuman growth hormone

growth hormone

1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that promotes growth by stimulating protein synthesis. Growth hormone also acts on the liver to produce peptides called somatomedins , which stimulate growth of bone, cartilage, and muscle.
2. Also called somatotropin
3. Any of various natural or synthetic substances that regulate the growth of plants. Auxins in plants are growth hormones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of growth hormone¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

"Interestingly, Rakus also rested more than usual when being wounded. Sleep positively affects wound healing as growth hormone release, protein synthesis and cell division are increased during sleep," she explains.

From Science Daily

The mutation leaves them with ineffective growth hormone receptors and results in a type of dwarfism.

From Science Daily

Earlier this year, for example, U.K. scientists described dementia and beta amyloid buildup in several people who had received injections of growth hormone from the brains of deceased donors.

From Science Magazine

"Thus, growth hormone and prolactin could be considered as new adjuvants to promote immune responses following vaccination, especially in aged people, who typically display reduced levels of these hormones during sleep."

From Science Daily

The team at University College London has been studying five cases linked to injections of human growth hormone that came from deceased donors.

From BBC