Growth hormone (
GH), also known as
somatotropin (or as
human growth hormone [hGH or HGH] in its human form), is a
peptide hormone that stimulates growth,
cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus important in
human development. It is a type of
mitogen which is specific only to certain kinds of cells. Growth hormone is a 191-
amino acid, single-chain
polypeptide that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by
somatotropic cells within the lateral wings of the
anterior pituitary gland.