releasing factor
n 1: 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}]
2: 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}]