In males, hormones that stimulate the development of male characteristics are referred to as what?

The term that describes hormones responsible for the development of male characteristics is androgens. These hormones, such as testosterone, play a crucial role in the development of male reproductive tissues, including the testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, body hair, and deeper voice.

Androgens influence various processes in the body, including metabolism and libido, contributing to the overall typical male phenotype. This differentiation begins in fetal development and continues through puberty, emphasizing the importance of androgens in male maturation and health.

In contrast, estrogens are primarily associated with the development of female characteristics, while progestogens are involved mainly in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Glucocorticoids primarily function in the regulation of metabolism and immune response, not in the development of gender-specific traits. Thus, androgens are clearly identified as the hormones that drive the development of male characteristics.