The steroid hormone estriol (E3) regulates epigenetic programming of fetal mouse brain and reproductive tract [Affymetrix]. The steroid hormone estriol (E3) regulates epigenetic programming of fetal mouse brain and reproductive tract [Affymetrix]

We identify an unexpected functional role for E3 in fetal reproductive system and brain. We further identify a novel mechanism of estrogen action, through recruitment of epigenetic modifiers to estrogen receptors and their target genes, which doesn’t correlated with the traditional view of estrogen potency. Overall design: We administered E3 to pregnant mice, exposing the fetus to E3 and identified an unexpected functional role for E3 and a novel mechanism of estrogen action.