Female Reproductive
Hormones
Dr. Hazrat Bilal Malakandi
DPT (IPM&R, KMU)
Two major hormones
1) Estrogen: most important is estradiol
2) Progestin: most important is
progesterone
Estrogens
• Nature
– Steroid
• Sites of secretion
– In non-pregnant woman by
• Ovaries: theca interna. Granulosa cells and
corpus luteum
• Adrenal cortex
– In pregnant woman by
• Ovaries, adrenal cortex and placenta
Types of Estrogens
• Estrone (E1): small amount secreted by
ovaries and mostly formed in peripheral
tissues from androgens secreted by adrenal
cortex and ovaries. Most imp. estrogen in
pregnancy and postmenopausal women.
• Beta-estradiol (E2): mainly from ovaries and
most important estrogen in non-pregnant
females.
• Estriol (E3): oxidative product of estradiol and
estrone in liver, most abundant
• Estetrol (E4): produced only during pregnancy
• Plasma transport
– In loose combination with
• Plasma albumin
• Specific estrogen-binding globulins
• Degradation and excretion
– Active Beta estradiol and estrone are converted
into inactive estriol in liver
– Estrogens are conjugated in liver to form
glucoronides and sulfates
– Conjugates are excreted mainly into urine and
about 1/5 in bile.
Action of Estrogen
1. On Reproductive Organs
• On vagina
– Inc. in size and wall musculature
– Simple cubiodal epithelium is converted into
stratified epithelium which is more resistant to
trauma and infections.
– Increase glycogen deposition
– pH becomes more acidic due to conversion of
glycogen into lactic acid by bacteria
• On External Genetallia
– Clitoris and labia minora increase in size
– Increase fat deposition in mons pubis and labia
majora
• On Cervix
– Slight enlargement
– Epithelium become stratified
– Increase alkaline secretions to neutralize the
acidic pH of vagina.
• On Uterus
– Cubiodal epithelium becomes columnar
– Uterine glands develop
– Increase size, vascularity and glycogen
contents
• On Fallopian Tubes
– Proliferation of glandular tissue
– Increase no. and activity of ciliated epithelium
• On Ovaries
– Estrogen inhibits LH and FSH secretion by
negative feedback mechanism  so decrease
ovarian functions  used as oral contraceptive
2. On Secondary Sexual Characters
• On Breast
– Initiate growth of breast
– Causes development of stroma and duct
system
– Causes fat deposition in breast
• Hair Distribution
– Axillary and pubic hairs grow partly due to
estrogen and mainly due to adrenal androgens.
• On Skin
– Causes skin to become smooth and soft
– Causes increase skin vascularity
• On Pelvis
– Broadens pelvis
– Pelvic outlet become broad and ovoid
• On Voice
– Larynx retains its prepubertal size and voice
remains high pitched
3. Other Effects
• On Skeletal
– Causes increase ossteoblastic activity
– Causes early union of epiphysis with shaft
• On Protein Metabolism
– Slightly increase in total body protein
• On Fat Metabolism
– Increase fat synthesis
– Increase fat deposition in subcutaneous
tissue, breast etc.
• On H2O and Electrolyte Metabolism
– Causes increase Na+, Cl- and H20 retention
• On Menstrual Cycle
– Estrogen is responsible for the proliferative
phase of menstrual cycle.
• On Blood
– Decrease blood cholesterol level
– Raises fibrinogen level
Progesterone
• Nature
– Steroid
• Sites of secretion
– In non-pregnant woman by
• Corpus luteum in later half of ovarian cycle
• Small amounts by adrenal cortex
– In pregnant woman by
• Corpus luteum
• Adrenal cortex
• Placenta (esp. after 4 months)
• Types of Progestin
– Progesterone (more important)
– 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone
• Plasma Transport
– 2% is free circulating
– In loose combination with
• Plasma albumin – 80%
• Specific progesterone-binding globulins- 18 %
• Degradation and excretion
– Progesterone is degraded in liver into pregnandiol,
which is excreted in urine.
Actions of Progesterone
• On Uterus
– Promotes secretary changes in uterine
endometrium during secretary phase of
menstrual cycle.
– Decrease frequency of uterine contraction
• On Fallopian Tubes
– Promotes secretary changes in mucosal lining,
needed for nutrition of fertilized ovum
– Increase peristalsis from mouth of fallopian
tube to uterus
• On Breast
– Promotes development of lobule and alveoli
– Causes alveolar cells to proliferate, enlarge
and to become secretary
– Does not cause milk secretion
• On ovulation
– Inhibits ovulation by inhibiting release of LH &
FSH. During pregnancy, ovulation is inhibited
by luteal and placental progesterone
• On H2O and Electrolyte Metabolism
– Causes slight retention of NA+, Cl- and H2O
from renal tubules
• On Protein Metabolism
– Mobilizes protein during pregnancy to be used
by fetus.