releasing factor

re·leas·ing factor (r-lsng)

n.

Any of several hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulate the anterior part of the pituitary gland to release certain hormones.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	releasing factor - a substance produced by the hypothalamus that is capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland releasing hormone, RF factor - anything that contributes causally to a result; "a number of factors determined the outcome" GHRF, growth hormone-releasing factor - a releasing factor that accelerates the secretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary body
	2.	releasing factor - 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 hypothalamic releasing factor, hypothalamic releasing hormone, releasing hormone, RH endocrine, hormone, internal secretion - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect