A somatomammotroph or somatomammotrophic cell, also known as a somatolactotroph or somatolactotrophic cell, is a type of

cell Cell most often refers to: * Cell (biology), the functional basic unit of life Cell may also refer to: Locations * Monastic cell, a small room, hut, or cave in which a religious recluse lives, alternatively the small precursor of a monastery ...

of the

anterior pituitary gland A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior) is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe (posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the p ...

that produces both somatotropin (growth hormone) and

prolactin Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin, is a protein best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. It is influential in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans. Prolactin is secreted from the pit ...

. Cells that secrete only somatotropin or only prolactin are known as somatotrophs and mammotrophs, respectively. Approximately 15-20% of the cells in the normal pituitary gland are somatomammotrophs.

References

Peptide hormone secreting cells Human cells Histology {{Cell-biology-stub

See also

References