estrogen

estrogen /es·tro·gen/ (es´tro-jen) a generic term for estrus-producing compounds; the female sex hormones, including estradiol, estriol, and estrone. In humans, the estrogens are formed in the ovary, adrenal cortex, testis, and fetoplacental unit, and are responsible for female secondary sex characteristic development, and, during the menstrual cycle, act on the female genitalia to produce an environment suitable for fertilization, implantation, and nutrition of the early embryo. Uses for estrogens include oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, advanced prostate or postmenopausal breast carcinoma treatment, and osteoporosis prophylaxis.

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conjugated estrogens  a mixture of the sodium salts of the sulfate esters of estrone and equilin, having the actions and uses of estrogens.

esterified estrogens  a mixture of the sodium salts of esters of estrogenic substances, principally estrone; the uses are those of estrogens.

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es·tro·gen or oes·tro·gen (str-jn)

n.

Any of several natural or synthetic substances formed by the ovary, placenta, testis, and certain plants, that stimulate the female secondary sex characteristics, exert systemic effects such as the growth and maturation of long bones, and are used to treat disorders due to estrogen deficiency and to ameliorate cancers of the breast and prostate. Also called estrin.

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Estrogen

Female hormone produced by the ovaries and released by the follicles as they mature. Responsible for female sexual characteristics, estrogen stimulates and triggers a response from at least 300 tissues, and may help some types of breast cancer to grow. After menopause, the production of the hormone gradually stops.

Mentioned in: Anabolic Steroid Use, Bone Disorder Drugs, Cholesterol, High, Endometrial Cancer, Endometriosis, Fibroadenoma, Gynecomastia, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause, Osteoporosis, Overactive Bladder, Premenstrual Syndrome, Saw Palmetto

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estrogen

[es′trojən]

Etymology: Gk, oistros, gadfly, genein, to produce

one of a group of hormonal steroid compounds that promote the development of female secondary sex characteristics. Human estrogen level is elaborated in the ovaries, adrenal cortices, testes, and fetoplacental unit. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen renders the female genital tract suitable for fertilization, implantation, and nutrition of the early embryo. Pharmaceutic preparations of estrogen are used in oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, palliate certain types of postmenopausal breast cancer and prostatic cancer, inhibit lactation, and treat threatened abortion and ovarian disease. Estrogen replacement therapy may be prescribed to relieve the vasomotor symptoms of menopause. Its long-term continued use increases the risk of endometrial carcinoma. Kinds of estrogen are conjugated estrogen, esterified estrogen, estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Also spelled oestrogen. Formerly called estrin. estrogenic, adj.

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estrogen (esˑ·tr·jin),

n hormone that maintains secondary female sex characteristics.

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estrogen

a generic term for estrus-producing compounds; the naturally occurring female sex hormones include estradiol, estriol and estrone.

In animals the estrogens are formed in the ovary, adrenal cortex, testis and fetoplacental unit, and are responsible for female secondary sex characteristic development, and act on the female genitalia to produce an environment suitable for fertilization, implantation and nutrition of the early embryo. A very important function is the creation of a state of sexual receptivity in the female.

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conjugated e's

a mixture of sulfate esters of estrogenic substances, principally estrone and equilin; the uses are those of estrogens.

esterified e's

a mixture of esters of estrogenic substances, principally estrone; the uses are those of estrogens.

fungal estrogen

Fusarium graminearum (F. roseum) produces zearalenone which has estrogenic activity.

placental estrogen

see estrogen (above).

plant estrogen

subterranean and red clover may contain significant amounts of an isoflavone, genistein, with estrogenic activity. See also estrogenism.

estrogen poisoning

see estrogenism.

estrogen-responsive dermatosis

a bilaterally symmetrical alopecia, sometimes with seborrhea, seen in spayed bitches; responsive to treatment with estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol.

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estrogen

Any of the estrus-related steroids, which include estradiol, estriol, estrone Site of production Ovaries, adrenal cortex, adipose tissue, in the fetus, placenta; estrogen is responsible for the 2º ♀ sex characteristics, and, during the menstrual cycle, prepares the endometrium for implantation ↑ in Ovarian tumors, adrenal feminizing tumors, some adrenal and testicular tumors, precocious puberty, gynecomastia ↓ in OCs, ovarian failure. See Designer estrogen, Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone, Estrus, Hormonal replacement therapy, Oral contraceptive, Phytoestrogen, Progesterone.