Final answer:
The pituitary gland releases growth hormone (GH) during childhood up to puberty and is crucial for regulating growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gland responsible for the release of growth hormone (GH) during childhood up until puberty is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, often referred to as the 'master gland' of the endocrine system, has a crucial role in regulating growth and other important bodily functions. Specifically, the anterior portion of the pituitary gland produces various hormones, including GH, which stimulates cellular activities like protein synthesis that are essential for growth.