[es-truh-juh
n] 
| any of several major female sex hormones produced primarily by the ovarian follicles of female mammals, capable of inducing estrus, developing and maintaining secondary female sex characteristics, and preparing the uterus for the reception of a fertilized egg: used, esp. in synthetic form, as a component of oral contraceptives, in certain cancer treatments, and in other therapies. |
| es·tro·gen also oes·tro·gen (ěs'trə-jən) n. Any of several steroid hormones produced chiefly by the ovaries and responsible for promoting estrus and the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics. [estr(us) + -gen.] es'tro·gen'ic (-jěn'ĭk) adj., es'tro·gen'i·cal·ly adv. |
A group of hormones, secreted mainly by the ovaries, that influence the female reproductive system in many ways, notably in preparing the body for ovulation and in the development of female secondary sex characteristics.
estrogen es·tro·gen or oes·tro·gen (ěs'trə-jən)
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.