Introduction

Abstract

There have been rapid advances in the understanding of somatotroph function in recent years. The major peptidic hypothalamic regulators of GH gene expression, synthesis and release have now been characterized. This has allowed further exploration of the interactions and intracellular message pathways involved in the control of the somatotroph. Using in vitro systems, it has also been possible to study the control of the synthesis release and gene expression of the relevant peptides themselves. For example, does the somatotroph produce IGF-I and does this or related molecules exert endocrine or paracrine actions? Using IGF-I as a model, it may be possible to understand further how functional control of anterior pituitary cell types relates to growth control in the same cell types.