Neuroendocrine cells of the hypothalamus release releasing hormones into the bloodstream.
Releasing or hypothalamic hormones have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the release of the pituary hormones. The main hormones are:
· Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the pituitary to release gonadotropin.
· Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates the pituitary to release thyrotropin.
· Growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates the pituitary to release somatotropin.
· Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulates the pituitary to release corticotropin.
· Somatostatin which inhibit the release of somatotropin from pituitary and inhibits the release of some gastrointestinal hormones.