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puberty
 




There is a wide range of ages at which individuals normally start puberty.  Boys normally develop testicular enlargement and then pubic hair between the ages of 9 and 14 years.  Underarm and facial hair, as well as deepening of the voice, typically occur between the ages of 13 and 16 years.

First, the hypothalamus releases gonadotropin (GnRH) hormone that circulates in the blood to the pituitary gland that then releases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).  LH instructs the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone and FSH tells the Sertoli cells of the testes to produce sperm.


Further Reading and Resources:

See pituitary for a diagram of the process.

For Tanner stages and XY prepubertal and adult hormone levels please click here


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