The main hormone associated with male characteristics is testosterone. However, the broader category encompasses a group of hormones called androgens.
Understanding Male Hormones
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Testosterone: This is the primary male sex hormone, responsible for the development of male characteristics during puberty and throughout life. It plays a crucial role in muscle growth, bone density, and sperm production. [Source: Testosterone is the primary male hormone regulating sex differentiation, producing male sex characteristics, spermatogenesis, and fertility. - NCBI Bookshelf]
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Androgens: This is a larger group of hormones that includes testosterone. Androgens are responsible for the development of "male" characteristics, a process known as virilisation. [Source: Androgens are the group of sex hormones that give men their 'male' characteristics (collectively called virilisation). - Better Health Channel] Examples of androgenic effects include the growth of facial hair, increased muscle mass, and deepening of the voice. [Source: Androgens like testosterone are sex hormones. Androgens help people enter puberty and mature physically. - Cleveland Clinic]
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Hormonal Roles in Puberty: The process of puberty begins when the hypothalamus in the brain starts producing a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This triggers the production of other hormones, including androgens, leading to the development of secondary sexual characteristics in boys. [Source: Puberty starts when a part of your child's brain called the hypothalamus begins producing a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing...- Cleveland Clinic]
Important Considerations
While testosterone is the most significant androgen, other androgens also contribute to male development. The testes produce androgens. [Source: In boys the male gonads, or testes (TES-teez), are in the scrotum. They secrete hormones called androgens (AN-druh-junz), the most important of which is...- Nemours KidsHealth] Conditions like androgen insensitivity syndrome can occur when the body's cells can't respond properly to androgens, resulting in atypical sexual development. [Source: In people with androgen insensitivity syndrome, the body's cells and tissues are unable to respond to certain male sex hormones (called...)- MedlinePlus Genetics]
