Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in males. It is secreted by the interstitial cells of Leydig, located within the testis. Testosterone is a steroid hormone, which has androgenic effects on human body. The precursor molecule for testosterone synthesis is cholesterol. Testosterone secretion is high during the first months of life, and gradually declines afterwards. During the puberty of a male child, the secretion of testosterone rises again, and continues throughout life. However, as a person ages, testosterone production gradually decreases, which gives rise to features of male hypogonadism.
increase testosterone,low testosterone,how to increase testosterone,mens health,testosterone booster,what is testosterone in male,testosterone food,testosterone supplements,testosterone in females,what produces testosterone in males,testosterone hormone function
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in males. It is secreted by the interstitial cells of leading,
located within the testis. Testosterone is a steroid hormone,
which has androgenic effects on human body. The precursor molecule for testosterone synthesis
is cholesterol. Testosterone secretion is high during the first months of life,
and gradually declines afterwards. During the puberty of a male child,
the secretion of testosterone rises again, and continues throughout life.
However, as a person ages, testosterone production gradually decreases,
which gives rise to features of male hypogonadism. After secretion from the tests,
testosterone is transferred to the target organs via blood. In the bloodstream,
testosterone is bound to plasma proteins, especially to the sex hormone-binding globulin
In the target organs, testosterone is converted to dehydrotestosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha
reductase. Dehydrotestosterone is the active version of testosterone and is responsible for
many important functions in males. Functions of testosterone in males include the following.
Testosterone begins to be elaborated by the male fetal tests at about the 7th week of embryonic
life. At this time, testosterone is responsible for the development of male body characteristics,
including formation of a penis and a scrotum. It also causes formation of the prostate gland,
seminal vesicles, and male genital ducts, and at the same time it suppresses the formation
of female genital organs. Testosterone is also responsible for the descent of tests
during the last 2-3 months of gestation. Testosterone deficiency during this time
will result in undescended tests in the newborn. After puberty, increasing amounts of testosterone
secretion causes the penis, scrotum, and testes to become enlarged. In addition,
testosterone is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males.
Testosterone causes growth of hair over the pubis, along the linea alba of the abdomen,
face, axillary area, and the chest. It also causes hypertrophy of the laryngeal mucosa
and enlargement of the larynx, causing deepening of the voice.
Testosterone increases the skin thickness all over the body and increases the sebaceous gland
secretions, causing acne. For this reason, people who are on testosterone supplements
often develop acne. One of the most important male characteristics stimulated by testosterone
is increased muscle mass, which is attributable to the increased protein synthesis in the body.
Testosterone causes increased bone mass by stimulating the deposition of bone matrix
and retaining more calcium in bone tissue. In addition, it has specific effects on the pelvis
to narrow the pelvic outlet and strengthen the entire pelvis for weight-bearing.
Other functions of testosterone hormone include increased basal metabolic rate,
increased red blood cells, increased sex drive, also known as libido, and increased blood volume.
As already mentioned, deficiency of testosterone will lead to features of hypogonadism.
Some of them include reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, a decreased sense of welding,
depression, difficulty in concentration and memory problems, fatigue, loss of muscle strength,
mild anemia, decrease in body hair, osteoporosis, increased body fat,
gynecomastia, or abnormal development of breast in males, and infertility.
