Which hormone is primarily responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics?

Estrogen is the primary hormone responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. This hormone plays a crucial role in the regulation of the female reproductive system, promoting features such as breast development, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and the distribution of body fat typically associated with females, such as wider hips.

In addition to its role in physical characteristics, estrogen also influences mood, skin health, and bone density, further contributing to the overall development of female traits during puberty and throughout a woman's life. The significance of estrogen in sexual differentiation and reproductive health underscores its importance in feminine biological processes.

While progesterone is also an important hormone in the female body, primarily involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, it does not have the same direct impact on the development of secondary sexual characteristics as estrogen. Testosterone is predominantly associated with male secondary sexual characteristics, and corticosteroids are involved in a variety of metabolic and immune functions rather than sexual development.