Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, exerts its influence on a range of tissues and organs throughout the body. These include bone, muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver. Hepatocytes, for example, respond to its presence by producing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a crucial mediator of many of the hormone’s effects. This complex interplay influences processes like cell growth and differentiation, impacting overall body composition.
Proper function of this hormonal axis is essential for normal growth and development during childhood and adolescence. It contributes significantly to attaining adult height and maintaining healthy body composition throughout life, impacting metabolic processes, bone density, and muscle mass. Understanding its influence historically has been crucial for developing treatments for growth disorders, and continues to be a focus of research for optimizing health and well-being across the lifespan.