Abstract: There is provided a DNA (or RNA) polynucleotide sequences encoding naturally occurring splice variants of human growth hormone, hGHV-2(88) and hGHV-3(53) as well as analogs and derivatives thereof, which both lack nucleotide sequences normally present in the gene which codes for wild-type hGH. The growth hormone variants of the present invention are of human origin and are useful for diagnostic preventative and therapeutic purposes with respect to certain human diseases. The present invention is also related to a method for producing the human growth hormone variants by recombinant DNA techniques. A method of generating an antibody directed against and therefore inhibiting the activity of wild-type growth hormone is also provided.