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How does testosterone affect the male body during puberty?
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human reproductive system
Organs and structures of the male and female reproductive systems.
During puberty, the testes begin secreting testosterone in large amounts, which drives the development of male secondary sex characteristics and the adolescent growth spurt.12
Testosterone acts on various receptors throughout the body to produce the following changes:
- Physical Growth: It is the primary driver of the adolescent growth spurt in boys, promoting the growth of the bony skeleton and increasing muscle mass and strength.123
- Sexual Development: It stimulates the enlargement of the penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles.41
- Secondary Sex Characteristics: It initiates the growth of facial, axillary, pubic, and truncal hair. It also causes the larynx to enlarge and the vocal cords to lengthen, which deepens the voice.145
- Other Effects: It contributes to increased scrotal pigmentation and libido. Additionally, some boys may experience transient breast enlargement, known as gynecomastia, during this developmental period.1
While testosterone is the primary hormone involved, it is often converted into the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone in specific tissues to facilitate these developmental processes.5