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human growth hormone
noun
: the naturally occurring growth hormone of humans or a genetically engineered form that is used to treat children with growth hormone deficiencies and has been used especially by athletes to increase muscle mass
Examples of human growth hormone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The treatment approach was discontinued after cases of a rare brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were found to be associated with the administration of contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
The study found that all five participants had received injections of human growth hormone from cadavers for several years.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2024
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, and human growth hormone, or HGH, is a natural hormone the gland makes and releases, promoting growth in children.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
Deep sleep helps repair muscles and bones through several key mechanisms, including the release of human growth hormone – a protein produced in the pituitary gland – and various anti-inflammatory agents.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2024
Between 1959 and 1985, these patients were among the at least 1,848 people in the United Kingdom who were treated with a human growth hormone derived from a cadaver’s pituitary gland, according to the study.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
Women with Turner syndrome generally undergo human growth hormone and estrogen replacement therapy to boost height and trigger the onset of puberty, respectively.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 15 Jan. 2024
Deer antler velvet is said to stop joint pain and degradation and directly enhance the production of human growth hormone (27).
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023
Anterior pituitary powder stimulates the pituitary gland, which helps increase muscle mass and human growth hormone production and reduce the signs of aging (29).
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'human growth hormone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1954, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human growth hormone was
in 1954
Dictionary Entries Near human growth hormone
Cite this Entry
“Human growth hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20growth%20hormone. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
human growth hormone
noun
: the naturally occurring growth hormone of humans or a recombinant version that is used to treat children with growth hormone deficiencies and has been used especially by athletes to increase muscle mass
—abbreviation HGH
see somatropin
More from Merriam-Webster on human growth hormone
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human growth hormone
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