A substance produced by the hypothalamus that is capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland.

synonyms: releasing factor, 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.

synonyms: hypothalamic releasing factor, hypothalamic releasing hormone, releasing factor, RH.