Growth hormone: a type of steroid usually cheaply produced in countries such as
mexico, but come in higher grades and is also available throughout
europe and the states. Growth is a very complex process, and requires the coordinated action of several hormones. The
major role of growth hormone in stimulating body growth is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to secrete IGF-I. IGF-I stimulates proliferation of chondrocytes (cartilage cells), resulting in bone growth. Growth hormone does seem to have a direct effect on bone growth in stimulating differentiation of chondrocytes.
IGF-I also appears to be the key
player in muscle growth. It stimulates both the differentiation and proliferation of myoblasts. It also stimulates amino
acid uptake and protein synthesis in muscle and other tissues.