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How does aging of the pituitary gland affect growth hormone release?
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aging
Primates are among the longest-lived groups of mammals.
As the body ages, the pituitary gland undergoes functional changes that impact the regulation of growth hormone. Specifically, the aging pituitary gland exhibits an attenuated response to growth hormone-releasing hormone.2
This reduced responsiveness leads to a gradual decrease in the secretion of growth hormone and, consequently, lower serum concentrations of IGF-1. This decline is associated with several physiological changes often observed in older adults, including a reduction in muscle mass and an increase in fat mass. Ultimately, the diminished release of growth hormone affects the overall rate and efficiency of the body's metabolic processes.12