Releasing hormone

A releasing hormone is a tertiary control hormone that is secreted by hypothalamus. It controls the release of glandotropic hormones from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Releasing hormones are produced in certain hypothalamic nuclei. They are transferred via a special vascular system, the hypothalamic-pituitary portal vessel system to the anterior pituitary lobe, where they stimulate the secretion of glandotropic hormones that control the function of their target organs in the context of specialized feedback control systems.

Some releasing hormones and their effects:

• TRH (Thyrotropin releasing hormone) stimulates secretion of TSH
• CRH (Corticotropin releasing hormone) stimulates secretion of ACTH
• GnRH (Gonadotropin releasing hormone) stimulates secretion of FSH and LH
• PRH (Prolactin releasing hormone) stimulates secretion of PRL
• GHRH (Growth hormone releasing hormone) stimulates secretion of GH

See also: Inhibiting hormone