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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses on a body fluid sample (typically serum or urine) to determine the endocrine growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin. GH is a heterogeneous mixture of single-chain polypeptide hormone isoforms secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The main effect of GH is to promote growth in many soft tissues, in cartilage, and in bone. Decreased levels of GH are found in undersized people (dwarfism), in patients with acute or chronic protein or caloric deprivation, and in adults with large pituitary adenomas; increased levels are characteristic in gigantism and acromegaly. GH determination may be performed using either isotopic or nonisotopic immunoassays.
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