Somatomammotrophic cell

Somatomammotrophic cell is a type of cell found in the anterior pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis. These cells are responsible for the production and secretion of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), two essential hormones for the body's growth, development, and function.

Etymology

The term "somatomammotrophic" is derived from the Greek words "soma" meaning body, "mammo" referring to the mammary glands, and "trophic" meaning nourishing. This name reflects the cell's role in body growth and lactation.

Function

Somatomammotrophic cells produce and secrete two hormones: prolactin and growth hormone.

Prolactin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in mammary gland development and lactation. It stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk after childbirth. In addition to its role in lactation, prolactin also has various other functions in the body, such as contributing to the regulation of the immune system and influencing behavior and mood.

Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus crucial in human development. GH also stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone similar to insulin that plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults.

Related Terms

• Anterior pituitary gland: The part of the pituitary gland where somatomammotrophic cells are located.
• Prolactin: One of the hormones produced by somatomammotrophic cells.
• Growth hormone: Another hormone produced by somatomammotrophic cells.
• Insulin-like growth factor 1: A hormone whose production is stimulated by growth hormone.

See Also

• Pituitary gland
• Hormone
• Endocrine system