Testosterone

male sex hormone

Testosterone is the most powerful male sex hormone. In men it is primarily secreted in the leydig cells of the testes. In females small amounts of testosterone are produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands.

Testosterone plays a key role in the maturation of men. Its secretion during puberty stimulates the promotion of secondary sexual characteristics such as beard growth.

Due to the fact that muscle growth is largely testosterone dependent, it is often used for doping.