Poultry Judging Practice Test

Which hormone is secreted by the testes to promote secondary sex characteristics in male poultry?

1. Estrogen

2. Testosterone

3. Progesterone

4. Insulin

The correct answer is: Testosterone

The hormone that is secreted by the testes to promote secondary sex characteristics in male poultry is testosterone. This hormone plays a significant role in the development of male traits, such as increased muscle mass, feather coloration, and aggression, all of which are essential for mating and territorial behaviors in birds. In poultry, testosterone influences the physical characteristics that distinguish males from females, contributing to the overall fitness and attractiveness of male birds to potential mates. Other hormones listed are involved in different physiological processes. Estrogen, for example, is primarily associated with female characteristics and reproduction. Progesterone is involved in the reproductive cycle and maintenance of pregnancy in female animals, and insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose levels in the blood, not directly related to the promotion of secondary sex characteristics in poultry.