The Ovaries and Testes
Do you recall earlier that the endocrine system enables reproduction? Well, the ovaries and testes, yet another part of the endocrine system are the sex glands, which are extremely important in the development of secondary sex characteristics, as well as in the synthesis of hormones and the development of the ovum (egg) in the female and the sperm in the male. The normal functioning of these glands will contribute to whether a female can develop breasts, conceive and maintain a pregnancy, or for a male grow facial hair and develop a deep voice. The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone and the testes produce testosterone. For more information on the functions and roles of these hormones read Chapters 52, 53, and 55 (p. 752) in the Female and Male Reproduction section. We will not go into detail here but just know that the Endocrine is responsible for the ovaries and testes which are responsible for the secretion of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, respectively.