Growth hormone (GH) is also known as somatotropic hormone (STH) or Somatotropin.
- Growth hormone promotes the growth of all the tissues and metabolic processes of the body.
- It influences the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids and increases the rate of protein biosynthesis in the cells.
- It stimulates chondrogenesis (cartilage formation), osteogenesis (bone formation) and helps in the retention of minerals like nitrogen, potassium,
phosphorus, sodium, etc., in the body.
- GH increases the release of fatty acid from adipose tissue and decreases the rate of glucose utilization for energy by the cells.
- Thus it conserves glucose for glucose-dependent tissues, such as the brain.
