By: Maddie Routhier

Production  Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes  A small amount is produced in the adrenal glands

Target Cells  Hair follicles  Testes  Muscles  Vocal Cords  Thyroid cartilage of Larynx

Testosterone at it’s peak  Testosterone is rapidly produced during puberty and reaches it’s peak around age 17.

Steriod: Testosterone

Average  The average man produces about 7 mg of Testosterone a day

What does testosterone do?  Promotes maturation of sperm  Influence sexual desire and behavior  Stimulate metabolic processes (hair growth, protein synthesis, etc.)  Helps in development of male secondary sexual characteristics  Maintenance male reproductive tract

Low Testosterone  Fatigue, depression, low sex drive, weight gain  Hypogonadism- diminished functional activity of gonads  Diabetes and high blood pressure have also been linked with low testosterone levels

Too much testosterone?  Can lead to infertility in both men and women  Shrinking of testes  False growth spurts and early puberty  Increased risk of heart disease  Atherosclerosis- heart condition that is linked with high levels of testosterone

Synthetic Replacement  Methyltestosterone is a synthetic replacement of testosterone that can have the same effect as the natural hormone produced in the body

Testosterone Replacement Therapy  Doctors may prescribe an over the counter medicine that can help with hypogodanism