release GROWTH HORMONE (GH). The secretion of
GHRH initiates a cascade of chemical activity that
results in intensified cell METABOLISMand processes
that promote cell division and the growth of body
tissues and structures. The hormone SOMATOSTATIN,
which the hypothalamus and the delta cells of the
ISLETS OFLANGERHANSproduce, provides the stimu-
lus for the hypothalamus to stop releasing GHRH.
Multiple factors regulate the balance between
GHRH and somatostatin.
For further discussion of GHRH within the con-
text of the endocrine system’s structure and func-
tion please see the overview section “The
Endocrine System.”
See also ACROMEGALY; ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN
HORMONE (ACTH); ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND STEROID
PRECURSORS; ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE(ADH); FOLLICLE-
STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH); GROWTH HORMONE
DEFICIENCY; LUTEINIZING HORMONE(LH); OXYTOCIN; PRO-
LACTIN; THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE(TSH).132 The Endocrine System