Androgen, any of a group of hormones that primarily influence the growth and development of the male reproductive system. The predominant and most active androgen is testosterone, which is produced by the male testes.
In males the interstitial cells of Leydig, located in the connective tissue surrounding the sperm-producing tubules of the testes, are responsible for the production and secretion of testosterone. In male animals that breed only seasonally, such as migratory birds and sheep, Leydig cells are prevalent in the testes during the breeding season but diminish considerably in number during the nonbreeding season. The actual secretion of androgens by these cells is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland.
The adrenal production of androgens is of importance to several physiological processes. Certain adrenal androgens—androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA sulfate)—can be converted to testosterone in other tissues.
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