I believe neutering boys is bad for them.
Men who lose their balls need hormone replacement therapy.
80% of testosterone I think is produced in the balls.
[SUP]
[/SUP]
Testosterone is a
steroid hormone from the
androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles,[SUP]
[1][/SUP] birds,[SUP]
[2][/SUP] and other
vertebrates. In
mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the
testicles of
males and the
ovaries of
females, although small amounts are also secreted by the
adrenal glands. It is the principal
male sex
hormone and an
anabolic steroid.
In men, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the
testis and
prostate as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased
muscle,
bone mass, and the growth of
body hair.[SUP]
[3][/SUP] In addition, testosterone is essential for health and well-being[SUP]
[4][/SUP] as well as the prevention of
osteoporosis.[SUP]
[5][/SUP]
On average, in adult
human males, the plasma concentration of testosterone is about 78 times as great as the concentration in adult human females' plasma,[SUP]
[6][/SUP] but as the metabolic consumption of testosterone in males is greater, the daily production is about 20 times greater in men.[SUP]
[7][/SUP][SUP]
[8][/SUP] Females also are more sensitive to the hormone.[SUP]
[9][/SUP] Testosterone is observed in most vertebrates.
Fish make a slightly different form called
11-ketotestosterone.[SUP]
[10][/SUP] Its counterpart in insects is
ecdysone.[SUP]
[11][/SUP] These ubiquitous steroids suggest that
sex hormones have an ancient evolutionary history.[SUP]
[12][/SUP]
[SUP]
[/SUP]
Is testosterone made in the testicles?
Yes. Testosterone is the most important of the male hormones. (The ovaries produce it in lower levels in women.)
It is responsible for muscle, bone and sexual development as well as sex drive. At puberty, it makes makes the voice drop and the penis, testicles and facial and pubic hair grow.
In the prostate gland, testosterone is broken down into the related hormone dihydro-testosterone which appears to be involved in baldness and enlarged prostate.
Testosterone levels fall slightly with age. Some men - particularly those with high levels to begin with - can effectively have half as much testosterone in their blood at 80 as at 20. It may lead to loss of muscle tone and bone strength and an increase in weight and the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Whether reduced testosterone is also the cause of the sluggishness, loss of libido and depression that some middle-aged men experience is debateable but it is worth thinking about. Testosterone replacement therapy is available but, while trials continue, many doctors are sceptical.