somatotropin

somatotropin A growth hormone that is produced by the anterior pituitary (the front part of the pituitary gland). Somatotropin acts by stimulating the release of another hormone called somatomedin by the liver, thereby causing growth to occur. Somatotropin is given to children with pituitary dwarfism (short stature due to underfunction of the anterior pituitary) to help them grow. Also known as somatropin, growth hormone.