Adrenals - The Cortex - Sex Steroids

Sex steroids are hormones produced mainly by the testes in men and the ovaries in women. They are responsible for producing the male and female primary sexual characteristics (the genitalia) and secondary sexual characteristics (body hair distribution, voice pitch, breast development etc.). The adrenals also play a small role in producing mainly virilising hormones (hormones which induce male developmental characteristics) such as Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) and androstenedione. Their function is not entirely clear in the healthy state. It may be that they are involved in the growth spurt preceding true puberty and the initial development of pubic and axillary (armpit) hair in females (so-called 'adrenarche'). What is clear is that in disorders where increased levels are produced clinical problems do arise (see section on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, CAH).