Question

What are the 3 roles of testosterone?

Answer 1

Testosterone is a sex hormone found especially in males. It is produced primarily by the testicles of men. Women also produce smaller amounts of testosterone through ovaries. The production of testosterone starts to increase during puberty and begins to decrease after the age of. Insufficient amounts of testosterone in men may cause abnormalities like hair loss, bone loss, metabolic syndromes etc.

Complete answer:
The principal sex hormone responsible for the development of male sexual traits is testosterone. Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger the body to undergo necessary changes. Testosterone is produced by Leydig cells that are present in the testicles. It regulates a number of functions including sperm production. The three major functions of testosterone are given below.
It promotes the development and growth of male reproductive organs such as penis, testicles, scrotum and sexual secretory glands.
It promotes the appearance of physical characteristics of men including beard, hair on the body, deep voice, growth of Adam's apple etc.
In women, testosterone is important for maintaining ovarian function, bone density, cognitive function and sexual function.

Note:
Inadequate amounts of testosterone can cause fertility problems in men. This is due to testosterone helping in the development of mature sperm. It also contributes to sex drive, bone density and muscle mass in women. However, increased amounts of testosterone can cause women to experience baldness and infertility. The testosterone level is controlled by the brain and pituitary gland. The production of this hormone is the endocrine function of testes. Once produced, the hormone moves into the blood and carries out its various important functions.