Question
What hormone is responsible for puberty in boys
Answers
GPT-5 mini
The key effector hormone for male puberty is testosterone. Puberty is initiated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis:
- The hypothalamus increases secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
- GnRH stimulates the pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. FSH (with testosterone) acts on Sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis.
Testosterone (and its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone or DHT) causes development of the penis and testes, growth of facial/body hair, voice deepening, increased muscle mass and libido. Growth hormone also contributes to the adolescent growth spurt.
- The hypothalamus increases secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
- GnRH stimulates the pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. FSH (with testosterone) acts on Sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis.
Testosterone (and its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone or DHT) causes development of the penis and testes, growth of facial/body hair, voice deepening, increased muscle mass and libido. Growth hormone also contributes to the adolescent growth spurt.