What hormones are secreted by the testes; what effect do these have on the male body? What hormones are secreted by the ovaries; what effect do these have on the female body?
The testes in the male secrete testosterone which stimulates spermatogenesis, development of the male secondary sex characteristics, and development of the male reproductive structures. The ovaries in the female secrete estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen stimulates the growth of the uterine lining, development of the female secondary sex characteristics, and development of the female reproductive structures. Progesterone readies the uterus for embryo implantation and maintains the pregnancy after implantation. The hormones secreted by the gonads are steroidal in their chemical composition; the adrenal cortex is the only other organ in mammals to secrete steroidal hormones.
