Numerous hormones are involved in the control of the pubertal growth spurt. Without secretion of growth hormone (GH) there car be no pubertal growth spurt; insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations rise around the time of the pubertal growth spurt in normal individuals, and this GH-growth-dependent factor is believed to mediate the rapid growth that is involved in the process. GH pulse amplitude, but not frequency, increases during puberty, leading to increased GH secretion during the growth spurt. Sex steroids rise during the pubertal growth spurt, effecting the increased GH secretion and also directly stimulating epiphysial growth. Thyroid hormone is also necessary for a normal pubertal growth spurt.
