What hormone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics?

Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. These characteristics include increased muscle mass, deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and the development of a more prominent Adam's apple. Produced mainly in the testes, testosterone plays a crucial role during puberty, when these traits begin to emerge as a result of hormonal changes in the body.

While dihydrotestosterone (an active metabolite of testosterone) also contributes to some male characteristics, it is initially testosterone that is responsible for stimulating the development of these traits. Estrogen and progesterone are primarily associated with female sexual characteristics and reproductive functions, making them less relevant in the context of male secondary sexual characteristics.