Growth Hormone Somatotrophs

An informative article on: Growth Hormone Somatotrophs.

Cells in the anterior pituitary that secrete growth hormone are called somatotrophs. These cells are found in abundance in the anterior pituitary gland, occupying nearly 40% of the total surface area. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone or GHRH is secreted by the hypothalamus. GHRH is carried to the anterior pituitary via the portal system wherein it acts upon the somatotrophs, stimulating them into producing Growth Hormone (GH). Being acidophilic cells, a somatotrope or a somatotroph takes years to develop and reach the maturity level wherein it can sustain the secretion of the growth hormone. This is why growth hormone-related disorders are very difficult-to-cure. There is no known way to make the somatotropes secrete the appropriate amount of hormone or a surgical replacement that can cure the condition.

Understanding Growth Hormone: Somatotrophs

Growth hormone is a stimulating hormone wherein it acts upon receptor cells in the liver, stimulating them to produce somatomedin—this hormone controls the metabolic activities of the body in such a manner that growth or physical/mental development is achieved. Growth hormone is also called somatotropin. In terms of its structure, GH is essentially a polypeptide, composed of more than 190 amino acids.

Functionalities of Growth Hormone: Somatotrophs

Somatotropin is secreted in large amounts before and during the onset of puberty. This is because the body needs to sustain substantial level of growth to ensure proper physical/mental development. The excess or deficient secretion of the growth hormone in the slightest of proportion can induce considerable defects. Though growth hormone-related disorders are commonly seen among children, some conditions are progressive, i.e. they continue to affect the individual passively and surface during adulthood. If growth hormone-related conditions have to be broadly categorized, two basic groups arise:

• Conditions caused by deficiency of growth hormone
• Conditions caused by excess of growth hormone

Deficiency of Growth Hormone: Somatotrophs

Growth hormone deficiency is more prevalent among children. This condition arises when the secretion of growth hormone is low throughout the early, development stage of the child. Please note that this condition can be congenital or induced during childhood due to external causes such as an accident or trauma. This condition can be caused due to severe illness in which strong medications or treatments like radiation therapy are involved. When diagnosed among adults, the deficiency is usually dormant, i.e. it surfaces in a minimal way and it can be traced back to tumors or childhood-related causes that weren’t diagnosed.

Growth Hormone Deficiency: Pituitary Dwarfism

The condition of impaired development due to insufficient growth hormone is generally referred to as dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism. Children with this condition might appear normal during the initial years of their lives, but the symptoms tend to manifest as the child progresses towards puberty. This condition is also called:

• Hypopituitarism
• Pan-hypopituitarism
• Hypopituitary dwarfism

Growth Hormone Deficiency Symptoms

The easily-recognizable symptoms of this condition include:

• Delayed onset of puberty (secondary sexual development)
• Delayed dental development
• Deficient progress in height of the child
• Low energy levels
• Low tolerance to physical activities/labored breath upon doing simple activities

Excess of Growth Hormone: Somatotrophs

Commonly referred to as gigantism, acromegaly is a hormonal disorder when growth hormone is secreted in excess amounts. The most common symptom of this condition is unusually large hands and feet along with abnormal increase in height of the affected individual. Acromegaly may or may not be accompanied by other physical conditions such as migraine-like headaches, difficulty in breathing, osteoporosis, arthritis and lowered metabolic rate. Acromegaly commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in premature death. Causes of acromegaly can be due to a tumor in the pituitary gland but it often occurs without a clearly-identified reason.