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Multiple Choice

Main estrogen in nonpregnant women?

In a nonpregnant woman, the circulating estrogen that dominates is estradiol. It is produced mainly by the ovarian granulosa cells in response to FSH, and it is the most potent estrogen, driving the proliferative phase of the endometrium and providing negative feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Estrone and estriol are also estrogens, but their patterns differ: estrone becomes more prominent after menopause due to peripheral conversion of androgens in adipose tissue, while estriol rises mainly during pregnancy from the fetal-placental unit. Dehydroepiandrosterone is an adrenal precursor with only weak estrogen activity, not the primary estrogen in nonpregnant women.

In a nonpregnant woman, the circulating estrogen that dominates is estradiol. It is produced mainly by the ovarian granulosa cells in response to FSH, and it is the most potent estrogen, driving the proliferative phase of the endometrium and providing negative feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Estrone and estriol are also estrogens, but their patterns differ: estrone becomes more prominent after menopause due to peripheral conversion of androgens in adipose tissue, while estriol rises mainly during pregnancy from the fetal-placental unit. Dehydroepiandrosterone is an adrenal precursor with only weak estrogen activity, not the primary estrogen in nonpregnant women.