Which hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates growth?

• A. Growth hormone
• B. Insulin-like growth factor
• C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• D. Luteinizing hormone

Answer: (A)

Growth hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary and is the primary driver of growth. It stimulates growth directly in tissues and bones and also triggers the liver to release IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), which promotes bone and muscle growth. This makes it the pituitary hormone that stimulates growth. IGF-1 is produced mainly by the liver in response to GH, acting as a mediator of the growth effects rather than being the pituitary hormone itself. The other hormones serve different roles: TSH stimulates the thyroid, and LH acts on the gonads, neither of which directly drives body growth.