What hormone is primarily produced and released by the anterior pituitary gland?

The hormone primarily produced and released by the anterior pituitary gland is growth hormone. This gland is responsible for synthesizing and secreting several key hormones that play vital roles in regulating various bodily functions.

Growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, is essential for growth, cell repair, and metabolism. It stimulates growth in tissues and bones and promotes the use of fat for energy, among other functions. The release of growth hormone is regulated by the hypothalamus, which can signal its release through growth hormone-releasing hormone and inhibit it with somatostatin.

In contrast, cortisol is produced in the adrenal cortex, insulin is synthesized in the pancreas, and thyroxine is produced in the thyroid gland. Each of these hormones comes from different glands and has distinct roles; therefore, growth hormone is the correct answer in the context of hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland.