somatomedin

n.
Any of a group of peptides produced by the liver upon stimulation by growth hormone that act directly on many cell types to stimulate growth.

[Perhaps SOMATO(TROPIN) + (INTER)MED(IARY) + -IN.]

IGF; somatomedin

A small polypeptide hormone, which mediates the actions of human growth hormone. Growth hormone promotes the release of IGF from the liver and some other tissues, including muscles. In muscle fibres, most of the growth-promoting actions attributed to GH appear to be mediated by IGF. Exogenous sources of IGF are on the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2005 Prohibited List.

(sō-măt'ə-mēd'n, sō'mə-tə-)
n.

A peptide synthesized in the liver, capable of stimulating certain anabolic processes in bone and cartilage, and whose secretion and biological activity are dependent on somatotropin. Also called insulinlike growth factor.

Any of a group of peptides found in the liver and in plasma which mediate the effect of growth hormone (somatotropin) on cartilage; they are responsible for uptake of sulfate and increased synthesis of collagen and other proteins by cartilage.

• s. C — participates in the limitation of secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary; produced in various tissues, especially liver; called also IGF-1 or insulin-like growth factor.