Understanding Somatotropin: Functions, Deficiency, and Controversies

1. Somatotropin, also known as human growth hormone (HGH), is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays an important role in regulating growth and development in children and adolescents.
2. It stimulates the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which promotes cell growth and division, leading to increased height and muscle mass.
3. Somatotropin deficiency can result from genetic mutations or damage to the pituitary gland, leading to short stature and other growth abnormalities.
4. Synthetic somatotropin is used as a medication to treat growth hormone deficiency and some other conditions such as Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
5. The use of synthetic somatotropin has been controversial due to concerns about its potential for misuse and the risk of side effects such as joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased risk of diabetes.