The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Testosterone, the principal male sex hormone, is produced in the testes.
Testosterone, an androgen, is necessary for the development of external genitals in the male fetus. In addition, increased levels of testosterone in males during puberty trigger the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and a deepening voice. If the testes are not able to produce adequate amounts of testosterone, puberty does not occur. The testes may be damaged by injury, illness (mumps), chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. In Klinefelter's syndrome, which occurs in one in 600 males, the testes do not develop normally. In order to induce and maintain male secondary sex characteristics, adolescents with Klinefelter's and other conditions that prevent the testes from producing adequate amounts of testosterone must be treated with synthetic testosterone.
Avraham, Regina. The Reproductive System. New York: Chelsea House, 1991.