| a substance usually of hypothalamic origin that triggers the release of a particular hormone from an endocrine gland. |
| re·leas·ing factor (rĭ-lē'sĭng) n. Any of several hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulate the anterior part of the pituitary gland to release certain hormones. |
releasing factor re·leas·ing factor (rĭ-le'sĭng)
n.
Abbr. RF
A substance of hypothalamic origin capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior lobe of pituitary gland. Also called releasing hormone.