Which one of the following cells secrete androgen hormones in human being?
- (a)Sertoli cells
- (b)Cells of Leydig
- (c)Germinal cells
- (d)Mucus cells
Correct — B, the cells of Leydig. These interstitial cells lie in the connective tissue between the seminiferous tubules of the testis and secrete androgens (chiefly testosterone). They are switched on by Luteinizing Hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary, and testosterone drives male secondary sexual characters and supports sperm production.
- (a)Sertoli cells — Sertoli (nurse) cells sit inside the seminiferous tubules and nourish developing sperm; they secrete inhibin and androgen-binding protein under FSH — not androgens themselves.
- (c)Germinal cells — The germinal (spermatogenic) cells divide to form sperm. They are the target of the hormonal environment, not an endocrine source of androgen.
- (d)Mucus cells — Mucus (goblet) cells line surfaces such as the gut and airways and secrete protective mucus; they have no role in hormone production.
The testis has two functional cell populations. Leydig cells (endocrine) make testosterone; Sertoli cells (supporting) nurse the germ cells and regulate spermatogenesis. The pituitary controls both: LH → Leydig cells → testosterone, and FSH → Sertoli cells → sperm support.
Students often pick 'Sertoli' because both are testicular cells. Anchor the split: Leydig = hormone (androgen), Sertoli = support/inhibin. 'Which cell secretes X hormone' is a standard endocrine trap.
- Leydig (interstitial) cells → testosterone (androgen), stimulated by LH
- Sertoli cells → nourish sperm; secrete inhibin & androgen-binding protein, stimulated by FSH
- Germinal cells give rise to spermatozoa; they do not secrete androgen
- Androgens drive male secondary sexual characters and spermatogenesis
Androgen comes from the Leydig cells — not the Sertoli or germinal cells.
- Choosing Sertoli cells because they are also in the testis
- Confusing the FSH (Sertoli) vs LH (Leydig) control pathways
MPPSC and UPSC ask 'which cell/gland secretes hormone X' or match glands to hormones; fix Leydig↔testosterone (LH), Sertoli↔inhibin (FSH).
Match List I (Endocrine glands) with List II (Hormones secreted) and select the correct answer: List I — I. Gonads, II. Pituitary, III. Pancreas, IV. Adrenal; List II — A) Insulin, B) Progesterone, C) Growth hormones, D) Cortisone
- (a) I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A
- (b) I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A
- (c) I-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D
- (d) I-C, II-B, III-A, IV-D
Answer(c) I-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D — Gonads secrete steroid sex hormones (e.g., progesterone), pituitary secretes growth hormone, pancreas secretes insulin, adrenal secretes cortisone.
Same idea — matching endocrine glands (including the gonads) to the hormones they secrete.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Secretion of testosterone by the Leydig cells is directly stimulated by which pituitary hormone?
- (a)Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- (b)Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- (c)Prolactin
- (d)Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer(b) Luteinizing Hormone (LH).
- practice — not a real PYQ
The main function of Sertoli cells in the testis is to:
- (a)Secrete testosterone
- (b)Support and nourish developing sperm
- (c)Produce insulin
- (d)Store calcium
Answer(b) Support and nourish developing sperm (and secrete inhibin/ABP).