Estrogen

Estrogen (also spelled oestrogen) is a group of female hormones.The word comes from the Greek οἶστρος, meaning gadfly. Its use here is not literal. It includes oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), and oestriol (E3). 

Oestradiol is the most important oestrogen. Oestrogen is mainly secreted by the ovary, a small amount by the liver, adrenal cortex, and breast. In pregnancy, the placenta can also have a lot of secretion. Male testes also secrete a small amount. Ovary mainly secretes β-estradiol, other estrogens are less important.Whitehead S.A. & Nussey S. 2001. Endocrinology: an integrated approach. Oxford: BIOS. 

Oestrogen helps women grow during puberty and is part of the menstrual cycle. During menopause, oestrogen levels go down. The male hormone that is similar is androgen.

Biosynthesis

 Related pages  
 Prostaglandin 
 Puberty
 References 

Category:Female reproductive system
Category:Steroid hormones