The family of female sexual hormones, referred as estrogen have a wide range of effects. For various studies the mice and rat are ovariectomized when used for estrogen research. This is to control the cycling hormone production and is replaced by 17Beta-estradiol. This is provided to the mice and rats exogenously. 

Recently, researchers have formed a chemical which is transformed into a hormone when it enters the rat body. This effect is only observed in the brain and not in the entire body. A report in Science Translational Medicine reports on the presence of protein which turns the chemical into estrogen. The effect is only observed in the brain and not in the body.

The neuroendocrinologists of Rockfeller University in New York, are amazed upon the interesting activity. They are hopeful of using the method of targeted therapy for treating patients. The chemical is similar to human estrogen with an additional oxygen atom. A specific protein found in the brain of rats cleaves the oxygen present in the chemical and turns it into estrogen. 

A significant increase in the estrogen levels in brain was observed in the female rats that had their ovaries removed. Use of this chemical in menopausal women is still under debate. It can prove to be a breakthrough in providing relief to menopausal women or women who have undergone surgical removal of ovaries. As this chemical can help in preventing various effects of estrogen reduction like sleep disturbances and hot flashes. 

 In depth and long-term studies on the chemical is required to confirm the benefits of it.