The presence of 17-beta estradiol in Mytilus edulis gonadal tissues: evidence for estradiol isoforms.

Abstract

These data demonstrate that 17-beta-estradiol and an estradiol isoform is present in M. edulis gonadal tissues, suggesting that they have functions related to reproduction. This further suggests that estrogen's association with reproductive activities has a long evolutionary history and that this association began in invertebrates.