How Is Testosterone Produced?
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Introduction
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Testosterone is an important hormone that plays a role in the development and sexual characteristics of both men and women; However, testosterone plays a much larger role in men than in women. Testosterone contributes to everything from muscle mass and bone strength to sexual maturation and prenatal growth.
Hypothalamus
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The production of testosterone originates with the region of the brain called the hypothalamus. Whether through necessity, or through sexual arousal, the body activates the hypothalamus to secrete a substance called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
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Pituitary Gland
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Once GnRH has been released into the bloodstream, the blood vessels carry the hormone to the pituitary gland. Here the hormone activates the pituitary gland's ability to produce gonadotropins called follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones, and insert them into the bloodstream.
Testes
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Once in the bloodstream, follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones travel to either the testes of the male, or the ovaries of the female. In the testes, these hormones activate the testicular cells called Leydig cells, to synthesize cholesterol into the hormone testosterone. The hormone is then released into the bloodstream to do whatever job the hypothalamus has set out to perform.
Ovaries
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In women, small amounts of testosterone are produced by the ovaries. In this process, follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones activate the thecal cells of the ovaries. These cells are also able to synthesize cholesterol from the body into testosterone.
Adrenal Glands
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Small amounts of testosterone can also be created in the adrenal glands. This can occur in both men and women. This process is done by activating the zona reticularis cells of the adrenal glands to synthesize cholesterol into testosterone.
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References
- Photo Credit urologyteam.com/
