Somatotropic cell

Somatotropes (from the Greek sōmat meaning 'body' and tropikós meaning 'of or pertaining to a turn or change') are cells in the anterior pituitary that produce growth hormone. Somatotropes (from the Greek sōmat meaning 'body' and tropikós meaning 'of or pertaining to a turn or change') are cells in the anterior pituitary that produce growth hormone. Somatotropic cells constitute 20% of anterior pituitary cells. They release growth hormone (GH) in response to Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH, or somatocrinin) or are inhibited by GHIH (somatostatin), both received from the hypothalamus via the hypophyseal portal system vein and the secondary plexus.