Lessons in estrogen biology from knockout and transgenic animals

Tremendous progress has been made in elucidating numerous critical aspects of estrogen signaling. New tools and techniques have enabled detailed molecular analysis of components that direct estrogen responses. At the other end of the spectrum, generation of a multiplicity of transgenic animals has allowed analysis of the physiological roles of the estrogen-signaling components in biologically relevant models. Here, we review the ever-increasing body of knowledge in the field of estrogen biology, especially as applied to the female reproductive processes.