Question

A woman started developing male characteristics. It may be due to?
A)Damage to mammary estrogen
B)Damage to posterior pituitary
C)Overproduction of adrenal androgens
D)Overproduction of-estrogen

Answer 1

Hint: When it comes to whether someone looks like a boy or girl, hormones clearly run the show. For instance, a newborn girl’s genitals may appear somewhat or totally male if that baby had encountered too much of the hormone testosterone (Tess-TOSS-tur-own) in the womb.

Complete answer:
Androgens: The Androgens are essential for male sexual and reproductive function. They are also responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, including facial and body hair growth and voice changes. Androgens also affect the development and metabolism of bones and muscles.

Damage to mammary estrogen: The hormone estrogen is produced by the ovaries during the first half of the menstrual cycle. It stimulates the growth of milk ducts in the breast. The increase in estrogen levels leads to ovulation halfway through the cycle.

Damage to posterior pituitary: This can lead to dangerous dehydration, high sodium content and thirst. This is a disease called diabetes insipidus or DI. Too much ADH can cause excessive retention of water in the body and low sodium content (insufficient antidiuretic hormone secretion or SIADH syndrome).

Overproduction of-estrogen: High levels of estrogen can grow naturally, but taking certain drugs can also cause too much estrogen. For example, estrogen replacement therapy is a popular treatment for menopausal symptoms that may bring estrogen to problematic levels.

Overproduction of adrenal androgens: The adrenal glands produce androgens, corticosteroids and aldosterone. Overactive adrenal glands can make these hormones too much. The symptoms and treatment depend on which hormone is overproduced. Symptoms may include high blood pressure, abnormal growth and sexual development, and obesity.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: Females also secrete a small amount of androgens, but sometimes due to hormonal imbalance, the adrenal cortex begins to produce more androgens in females, which causes some male elephants in females to grow hair.