Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

Nature and Nurture

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...

Bone Disorders

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Impact of Osilodrostat on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cushing's Disease: Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes From the Phase III LINC 3 and LINC 4 Clinical Trials.

Clinical endocrinology·2026

Same author

Developments in Pharmacotherapy for Acromegaly: Current and Emerging Approaches.

Drugs·2026

Same author

Efficacy and safety of once-weekly somatrogon in adults with growth hormone deficiency: a randomized phase 3 study.

Pituitary·2026

Same author

Cognitive function, quality of life, and survival outcomes in patients with lower grade gliomas treated with proton radiation therapy: A phase II study.

Neuro-oncology·2026

Same author

Controlling cortisol excess and comorbidities in Cushing's syndrome with osilodrostat.

Pituitary·2025

Same author

Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Lonapegsomatropin in Adults With Growth Hormone Deficiency: foresiGHt Trial Results.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Culturing and Measuring Fetal and Newborn Murine Long Bones

Culturing and Measuring Fetal and Newborn Murine Long Bones

Published on: April 26, 2019

Growth hormone and bone.

Nicholas A Tritos¹, Beverly M K Biller

¹Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. ntritos@partners.org

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity

|September 23, 2009

Summary

Growth hormone (GH) is crucial for bone health, impacting bone mass and growth. While GH replacement improves bone density, further research is needed to confirm its effects on fracture risk and osteoporosis.

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Bone Biology
Skeletal Physiology

Background:

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is linked to reduced bone mass in both pediatric and adult populations.
GH and insulin-like growth factor I exert direct effects on the skeleton.
Parathyroid hormone secretion or function may also play a role in the skeletal complications of GH deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding the effects of growth hormone on bone.
To explore the role of GH in bone physiology and various disease states beyond GH deficiency.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on growth hormone and bone.
Analysis of data on GH replacement therapy in different patient subgroups.
Examination of investigational uses of GH.

More Related Videos

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Culturing and Measuring Fetal and Newborn Murine Long Bones

Culturing and Measuring Fetal and Newborn Murine Long Bones

Published on: April 26, 2019

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Main Results:

GH replacement therapy has demonstrated benefits for bone mineral density in numerous studies.
The positive impact of GH on growth is well-established in childhood-onset GH deficiency and other pediatric conditions.
Consistency of GH replacement benefits across patient subgroups and its effect on fracture risk require further investigation.

Conclusions:

Growth hormone plays a significant role in bone physiology and associated diseases.
While GH replacement positively influences bone growth and density, its impact on fracture risk and potential in osteoporosis management warrant additional research.