Which of the following statements about androgens is true?

Androgens are a group of hormones that play significant roles in both reproductive and non-reproductive functions within the body. This includes their well-known role in the development and maintenance of male characteristics and reproductive tissues, such as sperm production and libido. Beyond the reproductive system, androgens contribute to muscle and bone mass, fat distribution, and the overall regulation of various body processes.

By affecting both physiological and behavioral aspects in individuals of all genders, androgens illustrate their importance beyond puberty, as they are involved in several stages of life and influence many systems in the body throughout adulthood as well.

The other statements do not accurately capture the complexities of androgen functions. The assertion that androgens are only essential during puberty overlooks their ongoing role throughout life. Claiming androgens are exclusively produced in females is incorrect because they are primarily synthesized in the testes in males and also produced in smaller amounts in the ovaries in females and the adrenal glands in both sexes. Furthermore, while androgens are produced in the adrenal glands, they are not limited to this location as the testes and ovaries also produce these hormones, making the statement about their exclusive production in the adrenal glands misleading.