Testosterone:一个“malehormone" -- a sex hormone produced by thetestesthat encourages thedevelopmentof male sexual characteristics, stimulates the activity of the male secondary sex characteristics, and prevents changesinthem followingcastration. Chemically,testosteroneis 17-beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one.
Testosterone is the most potent of the naturally occurring androgens. The androgens cause the development of male sex characteristics, such as adeepvoice and abeard;他们还加强muscletone andbonemass.
High levels of testosterone appear to promote goodhealthin men, for example, lowering the risks of high blood pressure and heart attack. High testosterone levels also correlate with risky behavior, however, including increased aggressiveness and smoking, which may cancel out these health benefits.
Testosterone may be given to treat medical conditions, includingfemale(but not male) breast cancer,hypogonadism(low gonadal function) in the male, cryptorchism (nondescent of thetestisinto thescrotum), andmenorrhagia(irregular periods).
