somatotropin

[SOMATO- + -TROP(IC) + -IN.]

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which stimulates body growth generally and the lengthening of long bones in particular. Whereas anabolic steroids act primarily on muscles, human growth hormone strengthens bones and tendons as well. Human growth hormone belongs to the peptide hormones, a group of hormonal agents on the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2005 Prohibited List. Natural production of human growth hormone increases during exercise, but the increase is not so fast in a trained as an untrained person. Risks associated with taking extra human growth hormone include acromegaly (abnormal bone thickening), glucose intolerance, diabetes, high blood pressure, and pathological changes in heart muscle.

A polypeptide hormone secreted by somotrophs that promotes growth of the body, especially by stimulating release of somatomedin, and that influences the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Also called growth hormone, human growth hormone, pituitary growth hormone, somatotropic hormone.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; promotes growth in humans
  Synonyms: somatotrophin, somatotropic hormone, somatotrophic hormone, STH, human growth hormone, growth hormone