Estradiol – 004515

Estradiol is responsible for the regulation of the estrous and menstrual female reproductive cycles and for the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics.^3,4 Estradiol plays a key role in germ cell maturation and numerous other, non−gender-specific processes, including growth, bone metabolism, nervous system maturation, and endothelial responsiveness. Estrogens are crucial for the normal development and maintenance of the breasts and the uterus.⁵ However, excessive estrogen levels can promote cell proliferation and may increase the risk of developing breast and uterine cancer as well as uterine endometriosis.⁵

The three major naturally occurring estrogens in women are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). E2 is the predominant estrogen during reproductive years, both in terms of absolute serum levels as well as in terms of estrogenic activity.