Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What type of hormones do the testes produce?

1. Estrogens

2. Androgens

3. Progestins

4. Gonadotropins

The correct answer is: Androgens

The testes primarily produce androgens, which are a group of hormones that include testosterone as the most well-known member. Androgens play a crucial role in the development of male sexual characteristics and reproductive functions. They are responsible for promoting spermatogenesis, influencing libido, and contributing to traits such as muscle mass and body hair. Estrogens, which are more predominantly associated with female physiology, are produced in smaller amounts by the testes but are not the main hormones produced. Progestins are primarily known for their role in female reproductive health and are produced by the ovaries and placenta, not the testes. Gonadotropins are hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produced by the pituitary gland that stimulate the testes to produce testosterone but are not produced by the testes themselves. Thus, the primary hormonal output of the testes is indeed androgens.