Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles.
Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles and is essential for the genital glands to develop normally and the secondary traits of males or men to be preserved over time. The term has its origin in the French testostérone , which in turn constitutes an acronym for testicule (translated into Spanish as "testicle" ), stérol (interpreted as "sterol" ) and hormone (in our language, "hormone" ).
Testosterone is a steroid androgen that is derived from cyclopentaneperhydrophenanthrene and is made up of 19 carbon atoms. The main synthesis of testosterone is made possible from cholesterol and has space mainly in the Leydig cells of the testis, although it can also be synthesized in the thecal cells of the ovary, in the placenta and in the adrenal cortex.
Testosterone and male genital development
The development of man's genitals , both internal and external, is a process where testosterone is essential. When, in the first trimester of fetal life, androgen synthesis is not sufficient, the genital phenotype may be feminine or ambiguous. Testosterone secretion increases during puberty , achieving sexual maturation.
The growth of the penis and testicles, the specific characteristics of semen and libido, among other issues, depend on testosterone. Beyond sexual characteristics, this hormone also affects muscle mass due to its anabolic action, the appearance of acne , increased hair , physical vigor and aggressiveness.
The increase in hair is associated with the action of testosterone.
Level measurement
It is important to emphasize that there are various types of medical tests and tests that aim to measure the amount of testosterone in the blood when it is considered that a patient may have an abnormal production of this hormone. And if this production is low, cases of precocious or late puberty can be experienced if the patient is a male child, or sterility and impotence if the patient is a man.
In the opposite case, what occurs is a significant increase in testosterone levels. This circumstance can be a clear symptom that the person in question may suffer from cancer or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Testosterone study
In addition to all of the above, it is worth highlighting that in recent times various investigations have been carried out on testosterone that have given rise to a set of results that are, to say the least, curious. Thus, for example, it has been determined that the aforementioned hormone is associated not only with a man's aggressive behavior but also with his ability to lie.
In the last case specifically, it has been ruled, through the study carried out by the University of Bonn ( Germany ), that those who have lower testosterone levels have a greater ability to deceive.
The term in art
It should also be noted that "Testosterona" is the name of the eighth album by the Argentine rock band Bersuit Vergarabat . It was released in 2005 and includes songs like "En la ribera" , "Sencillamente" and "Madre hay una sola" .
A novel by American writer James Robert Baker and a film based on said book also carry the title "Testosterone."