'releasing factor' definitions:

A substance produced by the hypothalamus that is capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland [syn: releasing factor, releasing hormone, RF]

Any of several hormones produced in the hypothalamus and carried by a vein to the anterior pituitary gland where they stimulate the release of anterior pituitary hormones; each of these hormones causes the anterior pituitary to secrete a specific hormone [syn: releasing hormone, RH, releasing factor, hypothalamic releasing hormone, hypothalamic releasing factor]