Final answer:
The pituitary gland releases growth hormone during puberty, which is crucial for physical and sexual maturation, including the adolescent growth spurt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pituitary gland releases growth hormone (GH) at different stages of development. While GH is produced throughout a person's life, its release is particularly significant during periods of rapid growth. One such period is puberty, where GH, alongside other hormones like LH and FSH, contribute to the physical and sexual maturation process. Puberty includes the maturation of the primary sex organs, the development of secondary sex characteristics, and an adolescent growth spurt. GH release is also important during infancy and continues to play a role in maintaining tissue and organ function throughout adulthood. However, GH production declines with age, which can be observed in the reduced muscle mass commonly associated with the elderly.
Therefore, in reference to the question, the pituitary gland releases a growth hormone during A) Puberty.