Gonads & Gonadal Hormones

The GONADS (OVARIES in women and TESTES in men) are essential reproductive organs. They produce eggs and sperm, the cells that join to form an embryo. Gonads also make reproductive hormones. Testes produce testosterone, and ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are necessary for the growth of eggs and sperm. In addition, they cause the development of some of the characteristics that make men and women look different from each other.