What are sex hormones? Describe any one male and one female sex hormones.
Hormones which control processes related to sexual reproduction and development of secondary sexual characters in animals including man are called sex hormones. These are produced by gonads. Testes produce androgens mainly testosterone and ovary produces estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin. Adrenal cortex also produces some sex hormones especially androgens.
(i) Progesterone: This .female sex hormone is secreted by corpus luteum. It helps in implantation of fertilized egg in uterus, maintenance of pregnancy, therefore, it is called pregnancy hormone.
(ii) Testosterone: This male sex hormone is secreted by Leydig's cells of testes. It promotes development of secondary sexual characters in males, stimulates the growth of seminal vesicle, prostrate, vasa deferense etc. It helps in development of muscles. It also stimulates formation of sperms.