Where Is Testosterone Produced in Humans?

In men, testosterone is produced by the testes. In women, testosterone is produced by the ovaries. In both men and women, a lesser amount of testosterone is made by the adrenal glands. Additionally, body fat cells and the skin can convert other hormones into testosterone.

Testes

• According to Chris Steidle, MD, more than 95 percent of the testosterone made in men's bodies is made in the testes. Specifically, the Leydig cells inside the testes are the responsible for the complex process of transforming cholesterol into testosterone.

Ovaries

• The ovaries are two, thumb-sized organs attached to each side of the uterus. They make both testosterone and estrogen. They use testosterone to make estrogen. About half of the testosterone made by a woman's body is made by the ovaries and adrenal glands, according to the Women's Health Program at the Monash University School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Adrenal Glands

• In both men and women, the adrenal glands make small amounts of testosterone. These are small, triangular glands located on top of each kidney. They interact with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to make hormones such as testosterone.

Body Fat

• Testosterone is made in body fat by converting dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate (DHEAS) from the adrenal glands and androstenedione from the ovaries into testosterone, according to the Monash Women's Health Program.

Skin

• The skin also produces some testosterone by converting DHEA, DHEAS and androstenedione.