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testosterone
(tes-tosītә-rōn)
the primary male sex hormone (androgen) that is produced by Leydig cells of the testes in response to luteinizing hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It is also produced by the adrenal cortex in both males and females. Its chief function is to stimulate development of the male reproductive organs such as the prostate, as well as male secondary sex characters such as the beard. It encourages growth of bone and muscle, and helps maintain muscle strength.
the same principle prepared synthetically from cholesterol or isolated from bull testes, used in preparations for treating male hypogonadism and delayed male puberty, and in palliation of metastatic breast carcinoma in postmenopausal women; its derivatives may be used for their anabolic properties. Administered by subcutaneous implantation,
transdermal delivery, or intramuscular injection.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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