Androgen Androgen An androgen (from Greek "andr-", the stem of the word meaning "man") is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone which regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. This includes the embryological development of the primary male sex organs, and the development of male secondary sex characteristics at puberty. Androgens are synthesized in the testes, the ovaries, and the adrenal glands. Androgens increase in both boys and girls during puberty. The major androgen in males is testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androstenedione are of equal importance in male development. DHT "in utero" causes
Sexual selection in mammals Sexual selection in mammals Sexual selection in mammals started with Charles Darwin's observations concerning sexual selection, including sexual selection in humans, and in other mammals, consisting of male-male competition and mate choice that mold the development of future phenotypes in a population for a given species. A good example of intrasexual selection, in which males fight for dominance over a harem of females, is the elephant seal – large, oceangoing mammals of the genus "Mirounga". There are two species: the northern ("M. angustirostris") and southern elephant seal ("M. leonina") – the largest carnivore living today. Both species show extreme sexual