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Subject: EMCOM Queries
Question: I have a question about the hormonal dependence of the development of secondary sexual characteristics. At puberty, what are the different mechanisms and the hormones involved with such sexual differentiation, specifically in men?
Hélène

Answer: Puberty usually occurs in boys between 13 and 15 years old. Key events during puberty in boys include accelerated growth, especially height, increased shoulder width, growth of the penis and testicles, voice changes, pubic, beard, and armpit hair growth and nocturnal ejaculations. Systemically, androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT) are involved in sexual differentiation, development of secondary sex characteristics, anabolic metabolism and gene regulation, and male pattern baldness, and behavior. Over 95% of testosterone is produced in the testes where it is necessary for spermatogenesis. Along with external genital development, sperm production is stimulated and maturation of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles occurs. The testis is very sensitive to damage from chemotherapeutic agents during childhood because of the exponential increase in germ cell production and testicular size. For more information, please visit http://www.emcom.ca/EM/male.shtml