Which one of them synthesizes and secretes the testicular hormones called androgens?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Leydig cells
Androgens (such as testosterone) are the male sex hormones. They start spermatogenesis and give the male secondary sex characters. They are made in the interstitial spaces outside the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
Option (1) Seminal vesicle — Incorrect. It is an accessory gland whose secretion forms part of the seminal plasma.
Option (2) Sertoli cells — Incorrect. Sertoli cells line the seminiferous tubules and give nutrition to the germ cells.
Option (3) Leydig cells — Correct. The Leydig (interstitial) cells, in the spaces between the seminiferous tubules, synthesise and secrete androgens, the testicular hormones. LH acts on them to do this.
Option (4) Epididymis — Incorrect. It is a duct along the back of the testis where sperms are kept and mature.
NCERT Extract:
The Male Reproductive System – “… Each lobule contains one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules in which sperms are produced. Each seminiferous tubule is lined on its inside by two types of cells called male germ cells (spermatogonia) and Sertoli cells (Figure 2.2). The male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions finally leading to sperm formation, while Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules called interstitial spaces, contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells (Figure 2.2). Leydig cells synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.”
