Question

If a female starts developing male characteristics like beard, degeneration of uterus and ovaries, enlargement of the clitoris, etc. It may due to

A.Overproduction of estrogen and testosterone.
B.Damage to the posterior pituitary.
C.Overproduction of adrenal androgens.
D.Surgical removal of the mammary gland.

Answer 1

Hint Estrogen, progesterone, and androgen are the female reproductive hormones. Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, develop female features, and maintains pregnancy. When the egg is fertilized progesterone prepares the body for pregnancy. Androgen help to start puberty and play a role in reproductive health and the development of the body.
Complete Step-by-step answer:Sex hormones are also known as steroid hormones. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are some examples of steroid hormones. Both estrogen and progesterone are produced in the ovary.
Testosterone hormones are the most common type of androgen, produce both in the ovary and testes. Androgen hormone is produced by both males and females. But the production of androgen is more in males as compared to females. Androgen is secreted by the testes in males while a small amount is secreted by ovaries in females. Apart from testes and ovaries androgen is also secreted by the adrenal cortex.
In some cases, the production of androgen is high in females which leads to the development of male characteristics in females. The symptoms include abnormal development of muscles, beards, and a mustache. In addition to this, degeneration of the uterus and ovaries happened which leads to infertility in women. Hypersecretion of androgen can cause high cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart-related diseases.

Hence the correct answer is option C. Overproduction of adrenal androgens.

Note: The adrenal gland is present on top of each kidney. The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the adrenal gland and the inner part is known as the adrenal medulla. All adrenal cortical hormones are steroid compounds.