TLDR The testes produce sperm and hormones essential for male development.
The testes have two main functions: producing sperm and acting as an endocrine gland to produce androgens, which are essential for male development. They are structured into seminiferous tubules for sperm production and an interstitial area with Leydig cells for androgen synthesis. Sertoli cells form the blood-testis barrier, protecting germ cells and supporting stem cells. Testicular function is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, with hormones like LH and FSH promoting testosterone production and spermatogenesis. Testosterone is crucial for male development, influencing various bodily functions. Disorders in testicular function, due to genetic or disease-related causes, can result in infertility and hypogonadism.
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July 2012 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Androgens can both increase body hair and cause scalp hair loss.
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June 2006 in “British journal of sports medicine” The document concludes that better biomarkers are needed to detect long-term oral testosterone use in athletes.
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January 2001 in “PubMed” 
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October 1999 in “The Journal of Urology” Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.
January 2026 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Certain drugs can cause male infertility, so fertility counseling and sperm preservation are advised.
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December 2015 in “Asian pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine” Phthirusa pyrifolia extract may lower testosterone and harm male rat reproduction without damaging the liver or kidneys.
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February 2018 in “Human Reproduction” A man with testotoxicosis was fertile despite low FSH levels, suggesting high testosterone may allow sperm production without FSH.
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September 2020 in “Andrologia” Oregano extract helps fix testis and sperm damage caused by finasteride.
January 2017 in “Springer eBooks” Understanding genes and hormones is crucial for managing male puberty and sex development disorders.
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November 2021 in “IntechOpen eBooks” The testes produce important hormones like testosterone and others that play key roles in male body functions.
