Open AccessPituitary gland and growth hormone
Author(s) -
Mabhidli Mduduzi Amos Mashinini
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
southern african journal of anaesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.175
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2220-1173
pISSN - 2220-1181
DOI - 10.36303/sajaa.2020.26.6.s3.2553
Subject(s) - somatotropic cell , endocrine system , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , endocrine gland , secretion , pituitary gland , growth hormone , mediator , biology , insulin like growth factor , growth factor , receptor
The pituitary gland (PG) is said to be a “master” endocrine gland and through its tropic hormones influences other endocrine glands to secrete hormones that have a variety of effects on body systems. Growth hormone (GH) is a pituitary gland hormone that has direct and indirect effects produced by somatotrophs in early fetal life. It is essential for normal postnatal growth and has diverse effects across multiple physiological systems. The somatotrophic axis is made predominantly of GH, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and other factors regulating growth. This review summarises the relevant anatomical relationships of the PG, the basic aspect of GH physiology which includes mechanism of action (MOA), regulation and secretion and a direct and indirect action of GH through IGF-1, an important mediator of most of the peripheral action of GH.