Description
Estradiol (E2 or 17β-estradiol) is an estrogenic hormone produced by the ovaries and in smaller amounts by the adrenal cortex and testes. It is the most potent female sexual hormone and is essential for maintaining normal female functions. During the oestrous cycle which can be divided into four phases (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus) estradiol concentrations rise gradually from metestrus to proestrus and fall to barely detectable levels in estrus. The maximum concentration is reached around mid-day of proestrus (1,2). Apart from its effects on sexual characteristics it has important influence on the growth and development of the brain (3,4).
In female rodents, the determination of estradiol is a useful marker in evaluating and monitoring the state of the reproductive functions and pregnancy as well