Sex hormones – Testosterone MCQs With Answer

Sex hormones – Testosterone MCQs With Answer

This concise, exam-focused introduction reviews testosterone biology, pharmacology, clinical uses and adverse effects tailored for B. Pharm students. Key concepts include steroid biosynthesis from cholesterol, regulation by LH/FSH, conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5α-reductase, aromatization to estradiol, plasma binding by SHBG, pharmacokinetics of esters and 17α‑alkylated derivatives, receptor-mediated genomic actions, therapeutic indications, monitoring parameters, and common drug interactions and toxicities. Emphasis is on mechanisms, formulations, clinical applications and safety considerations to support rational dispensing and patient counseling. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary circulating endogenous androgen in adult males?

• Testosterone
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
• Androstenedione
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Correct Answer: Testosterone

Q2. Which cells in the testes are primarily responsible for testosterone synthesis?

• Sertoli cells
• Leydig cells
• Germ cells
• Interstitial fibroblasts

Correct Answer: Leydig cells

Q3. Which enzyme converts testosterone to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?

• Aromatase
• 5α‑Reductase
• 17β‑Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
• CYP3A4

Correct Answer: 5α‑Reductase

Q4. Aromatase catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into which estrogen?

• Estrone
• Estriol
• Estradiol
• Progesterone

Correct Answer: Estradiol

Q5. Which plasma protein binds the majority of circulating testosterone with high affinity?

• Albumin
• Sex hormone‑binding globulin (SHBG)
• Corticosteroid‑binding globulin (CBG)
• Transferrin

Correct Answer: Sex hormone‑binding globulin (SHBG)

Q6. Which chemical modification is commonly used to produce orally active anabolic-androgenic steroids?

• 17β‑Esterification
• 17α‑Alkylation
• 3β‑Hydroxylation
• Sulfation at C‑17

Correct Answer: 17α‑Alkylation

Q7. Which of the following is NOT a testosterone ester used for intramuscular depot administration?

• Testosterone enanthate
• Testosterone cypionate
• Testosterone propionate
• Methyltestosterone

Correct Answer: Methyltestosterone

Q8. Testosterone exerts most of its genomic effects by binding to which type of receptor?

• G‑protein coupled receptor (GPCR)
• Tyrosine kinase receptor
• Nuclear (intracellular) androgen receptor
• Ligand‑gated ion channel

Correct Answer: Nuclear (intracellular) androgen receptor

Q9. What is the primary FDA‑approved therapeutic indication for testosterone replacement?

• Contraception for men
• Male hypogonadism with low testosterone
• Asthma management
• Acute bacterial infection

Correct Answer: Male hypogonadism with low testosterone

Q10. Which lipid change is classically associated with anabolic steroid therapy and linked to cardiovascular risk?

• Increase in HDL cholesterol
• Decrease in HDL cholesterol
• Decrease in LDL cholesterol
• Increase in apolipoprotein A1 only

Correct Answer: Decrease in HDL cholesterol

Q11. Chronic supraphysiologic androgen use commonly causes which reproductive adverse effect in men?

• Increased spermatogenesis
• Infertility due to suppressed spermatogenesis
• Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
• Enhanced testicular size

Correct Answer: Infertility due to suppressed spermatogenesis

Q12. Which drug is a selective 5α‑reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness?

• Finasteride
• Flutamide
• Spironolactone
• Ketoconazole

Correct Answer: Finasteride

Q13. Which agent is an androgen receptor antagonist commonly used in prostate cancer therapy?

• Finasteride
• Flutamide
• Anastrozole
• Nandrolone

Correct Answer: Flutamide

Q14. Which laboratory measurement most accurately reflects the biologically active fraction of circulating testosterone?

• Total testosterone
• Free testosterone
• SHBG‑bound testosterone
• Albumin‑bound testosterone

Correct Answer: Free testosterone

Q15. Which parameter is most important to monitor during testosterone therapy to detect erythrocytosis?

• Platelet count
• White blood cell count
• Hematocrit
• Serum ferritin

Correct Answer: Hematocrit

Q16. What is the initial biochemical precursor for steroidogenesis leading to testosterone synthesis?

• Amino acids
• Cholesterol
• Glucose
• Fatty acids

Correct Answer: Cholesterol

Q17. Which pituitary hormone primarily stimulates Leydig cells to synthesize testosterone?

• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• Thyroid‑stimulating hormone (TSH)

Correct Answer: Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Q18. A mutation causing a nonfunctional androgen receptor leads to which clinical condition?

• Klinefelter syndrome
• Androgen insensitivity syndrome
• Turner syndrome
• 5α‑Reductase deficiency

Correct Answer: Androgen insensitivity syndrome

Q19. Deficiency of 5α‑reductase in a genetic male most commonly results in:

• Excessive virilization at birth
• Ambiguous external genitalia with virilization at puberty
• Complete female phenotype with no virilization at puberty
• Primary hypogonadism with high LH and FSH

Correct Answer: Ambiguous external genitalia with virilization at puberty

Q20. Compared with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has:

• Lower affinity for the androgen receptor
• Higher affinity for the androgen receptor
• No affinity for the androgen receptor
• Only non‑genomic effects

Correct Answer: Higher affinity for the androgen receptor

Q21. Which synthetic anabolic steroid is noted for a relatively high anabolic:androgenic ratio and lower virilizing effects?

• Oxandrolone
• Testosterone enanthate
• Methyltestosterone
• Testosterone propionate

Correct Answer: Oxandrolone

Q22. Nandrolone decanoate is primarily used clinically to:

• Treat bacterial infections
• Promote anabolic effects in wasting and cachexia
• Lower testosterone levels in prostate cancer
• Treat hypothyroidism

Correct Answer: Promote anabolic effects in wasting and cachexia

Q23. Which route of testosterone administration typically avoids first‑pass hepatic metabolism and can provide a sustained depot release?

• Oral immediate‑release tablets
• Sublingual tablets
• Intramuscular depot injection of testosterone ester
• Inhalation spray

Correct Answer: Intramuscular depot injection of testosterone ester

Q24. The primary hepatic metabolic pathway for testosterone conjugation and excretion is:

• Sulfation
• Glucuronidation
• Transamination
• Direct renal filtration without conjugation

Correct Answer: Glucuronidation

Q25. Which antifungal agent can suppress testosterone synthesis by inhibiting steroidogenic enzymes and is used in advanced prostate cancer?

• Fluconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Amphotericin B
• Nystatin

Correct Answer: Ketoconazole

Q26. Aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole) reduce conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Their primary oncologic use is in:

• Pre‑menopausal estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer
• Post‑menopausal estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer
• Prostate cancer therapy as first‑line monotherapy
• Testicular cancer

Correct Answer: Post‑menopausal estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer

Q27. Esterification of testosterone at the 17β‑hydroxyl group primarily results in which pharmacokinetic change?

• Decreased lipophilicity and faster renal excretion
• Increased lipophilicity and prolonged depot release after IM injection
• Enhanced oral bioavailability without hepatotoxicity
• Complete resistance to aromatization

Correct Answer: Increased lipophilicity and prolonged depot release after IM injection

Q28. When collecting a blood sample for basal testosterone measurement, the optimal timing is:

• Late evening (after 10 PM)
• Morning (between 7–10 AM)
• Any random time of day
• Immediately after intense exercise

Correct Answer: Morning (between 7–10 AM)

Q29. The intracellular androgen receptor is primarily located in the cytosol before ligand binding and then:

• Is degraded in the lysosome
• Translocates to the nucleus to modulate gene transcription
• Migrates to the mitochondria to alter ATP production
• Remains permanently cytosolic without DNA interaction

Correct Answer: Translocates to the nucleus to modulate gene transcription

Q30. Which combination strategy has been investigated as a hormonal male contraceptive by suppressing spermatogenesis?

• Exogenous testosterone alone at replacement doses
• GnRH agonist monotherapy
• Exogenous testosterone combined with a progestin
• 5α‑Reductase inhibition alone

Correct Answer: Exogenous testosterone combined with a progestin

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com