Also an endocrine gland, releasing hormones that travel in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal veins to affect anterior pituitary hormone production and secretion.
The hormones secreted that affect pituitary function are:
In addition, ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin are formed in the hypothalamus and travel in neurons down to the neurohypophysis and released into the circulation there.
reference: http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/hypopit/overview.html
The endocrine system