Question

Inadequate production of STH in early life may result in
a. Gigantism
b. Acromegaly
c. Sterility
d. Dwarfism

Answer 1

Hint: Hormones are vital for the development and normal functioning of the body. STH means somatotropin hormone which is a protein hormone produced by the somatotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland.

Complete answer:
Somatotropin is also known as ‘growth hormone’. As the name indicates, this peptide hormone plays an important role in human development as it stimulates growth and multiplication of cells. This stimulation is vital for the increase in the height of humans, which requires bone mineralization; it promotes muscle mass increase, protein synthesis, lipolysis, homeostasis, gluconeogenesis in the liver and the development of all other organs in the body. Now that we have learnt the immense importance of this hormone for the body, it is understood that the inadequate production of STH in early life will lead to short stature and growth failure.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Deficiency in STH is usually treated with somatreopleopin, a recombinant drug of human GH. The inadequate production of GH can also impair the cognitive functions and affects the quality of life. In contrast, the increased production of STH leads to conditions such as acromegaly and gigantism. The over production is usually because of a benign tumour in the pituitary gland. Though both the conditions lead to increased abnormal growth, they should not be confused with each other. Acromegaly occurs in middle-aged people whose growth plates are closed, whereas gigantism can be identified in children.

Note: Bovine growth hormone, a hormone with similar function in cows, is administered to cows to increase milk production and for beef. However, it is illegal to use growth hormones in poultry farming in the USA and Australia.