how is estrogen produced
1 Estrogen refers to a family of hormones, including estrone, estradiol and estriol which are primarily responsible for female reproductive processes and secondary sexual characteristics in mammals. 2  Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and in smaller amounts by the adrenal cortex, testes and fetoplacental unit. Estrogen refers to a family of hormones, including estrone, estradiol and estriol which are primarily responsible for female reproductive processes and secondary sexual characteristics in mammals. 2  Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and in smaller amounts by the adrenal cortex, testes and fetoplacental unit.