ABSTRACT
Testosterone is a steroid hormone with 19 carbon atoms, thus belonging to the group of androgens, having a ß-OH-group in the C-17 position, a 3-keto group at C-3, and a double bond in ring A from C-4 to C-5; the systematic name is 17β-Hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one. The primary activity of testosterone in the male is to allow and stimulate development of the genital tract and to maintain its function thereafter. The testosterone levels determined in peripheral plasma of male calves are higher than those in normal female and testosterone-treated female calves. Testosterone is in the kidney of animals with a low production rate and highest in fat of animals with a high testosterone production rate. Concerning the prepubertal animal, probably only the calf can be considered as a regular food animal. The testosterone levels determined in peripheral plasma of male calves are higher than those in normal female and testosterone-treated female calves.
