Research progress on the function, expression and enzyme activity regulation of 17β-HSD1 in mammals

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17β-HSD1) can catalyze the reduction of the less active estrone (E₁) to the more active estradiol (E₂). It has a significant impact on the reproduction of female animals, follicular development, the development of the breasts and reproductive organs in reproductive-age women, as well as the physical health, bones and cardiovascular system of postmenopausal women. This review summarizes the research progress on the expression, biological function, and regulatory mechanisms of 17β-HSD1 in estrogen-dependent diseases, including cancer. It also discusses the role of 17β-HSD1 in female reproduction processes, such as follicle development, and the regulation of its enzyme activity by activin A and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Furthermore, the review explores how phosphorylation at key sites influences its enzyme's activity, aiming to enhance the understanding of its regulatory mechanisms and improve the clarity of related research findings. This review systematically summarizes the research progress of 17β-HSD1 expression and enzyme activity regulation, which can provide theoretical reference for the development of animal breeding technology and the treatment of estrogen dependent diseases.