Oestrogen Hormones: From 1 Different Sources
A group of hormones that are essential for normal female sexual development and healthy functioning of the reproductive system.
In women, they are produced mainly in the ovaries and also in the placenta in pregnancy.
Small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands in both men and women, but oestrogens have no known specific function in men.
When levels are low, oestrogen hormones can be replaced with oestrogen drugs.
These are ‘chemical messengers’ that are dispersed by the blood and act on target organs to produce effects distant from their point of release. The main organs involved in hormone production are the PITUITARY GLAND, PANCREAS, ovary (see OVARIES), testis (see TESTICLE), THYROID GLAND, and ADRENAL GLANDS. The release of many hormones is, ultimately, under the control of the central nervous system via a series of inhibiting and releasing factors from the HYPOTHALAMUS. Hormones are involved in maintaining homeostasis: for example, insulin regulates the concentration of glucose in the blood. They also participate in growth and maturation: for example, growth hormone promotes growth and helps to regulate fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism; and the sex hormones promote sexual maturation and reproduction. (See also ENDOCRINE GLANDS.)... hormones
A site on the membrane surrounding a cell (see CELLS) that binds to the hormone OESTROGENS. This activates the cell’s reaction to the hormone. Anti-oestrogen drugs such as TAMOXIFEN used to treat breast cancer (see BREASTS, DISEASES OF) prevent the oestrogen from binding to these receptors.... oestrogen receptor
These HORMONES control the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. They also regulate sex-related functions – for example, menstruation and the production of sperm and eggs. The three main types of sex hormone are androgens, or male sex hormones (see ANDROGEN); OESTROGENS, or female sex hormones; and progesterones, which are involved in pregnancy (see PROGESTERONE).... sex hormones
A group of hormones produced by the adrenal glands that control the body’s use of nutrients and the excretion of salts and water in the urine.... corticosteroid hormones
A group of hormones released from specialized cells in the stomach, pancreas, and intestine that control various functions of the digestive organs. Gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin are the best known of these hormones.... gastrointestinal hormones
Hormones that stimulate cell activity in the ovaries and testes. Gonadotrophins are essential for fertility. The two most important gonadotrophins are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are secreted by the pituitary gland. Another gonadotrophin, HCG (see gonadotrophin, human chorionic), is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Certain gonadotrophins are used as drugs in the treatment of infertility.... gonadotrophin hormones
(oestrogen-receptor antagonist) n. one of a group of drugs that oppose the action of oestrogen by binding to *oestrogen receptors in the body’s tissues. The most important of these drugs is currently *tamoxifen, which is used in the treatment of breast cancers dependent on oestrogen. Because they stimulate the production of pituitary *gonadotrophins, some anti-oestrogens (e.g. *clomifene, tamoxifen) are used to induce or stimulate ovulation in infertility treatment. Side-effects of anti-oestrogens include hot flushes, itching of the vulva, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, and sometimes vaginal bleeding.... anti-oestrogen
see anti-oestrogen.... oestrogen-receptor antagonist
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