Akademik

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Generic term for any substance, natural or synthetic, that exerts biologic effects characteristic of estrogenic hormones such as 17β-estradiol. Estrogens are formed by the ovary, placenta, testes, and possibly the adrenal cortex, as well as by certain plants; they stimulate secondary sexual characteristics, and exert systemic effects, such as growth and maturation of long bones, and are used therapeutically in any disorder attributable to e. deficiency or amenable to e. therapy, such as menstrual disorders and menopausal problems. They control the course of the menstrual cycle. Used in certain treatments of coronary disorders in women. SYN: estrin, oestrogen. [G. oistrus, estrus, + -gen, producing]

- catechol e. any 2-hydroxylated derivative of an e.; they, with their methylated derivatives, can account for up to one-half of all excreted e. metabolites.

- conjugated e. an amorphous preparation of naturally occurring, water-soluble, conjugated forms of mixed estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares (conjugated equine e.); the principal e. present is sodium estrone sulfate; suitable for parenteral, oral, and topical administration, and used in conditions responsive to e. therapy.

- esterified estrogens a mixture of the sodium salts of sulfate esters of estrogenic substances; used for oral e. therapy.

es·tro·gen 'es-trə-jən or chiefly Brit oes·tro·gen 'ē-strə-jən n any of various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system also any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens