fallacy:only men produce testosterone
Testosterone, widely known as the principle male hormone, is actually produced by both male and female.
In males, the largest amounts of testosterone are produced in the testes by the Leydig (interstitial) cells. The testosterone hormone promotes the secondary sex characteristics in males – increase in size and mass of muscles, deepening of the voice, changes in the shape of the face and skeleton, and growth stimulation of facial and body hair.
In females, testosterone is synthesized in smaller quantities in the ovaries, the adrenal gland, and by the placenta. It is interesting to note that during puberty, testosterone is responsible for many changes in both boys and girls, such as increased oiliness of skin and hair, acne formation, body odor, growth spurt, and appearance of pubic hair. Slightly higher testosterone levels in females are responsible for the fine hairs (mustache) on the upper lip, hairy legs, and baldness.
Consequently, the principal female hormone, estrogen, is present in both men and women. Estrogen is to women, testosterone is to men. The estrogen hormone is responsible for female’s secondary sex characteristics, such as breast development and the widening of the hips.
Both testosterone and estrogen are classified as sex hormones responsible for both primary (differences in male and female anatomy) and secondary sex characteristics.
<testosterone and estrogen. absoluteastronomy.com>
