Which compound is primarily produced as an androgen by the adrenal cortex?

• A. DHEA
• B. DHT
• C. Testosterone
• D. Estradiol

Answer: (A)

Adrenal cortex produces androgens as its primary steroid output in the zona reticularis, with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) being the major product. DHEA circulates and serves as a precursor that can be converted in peripheral tissues into more potent androgens or estrogens as needed. In contrast, the potent androgen DHT is made from testosterone inside target tissues via 5-alpha-reductase, not released as a primary adrenal product. Testosterone itself is mainly produced by the testes, while estradiol is an estrogen produced predominantly by the gonads and through peripheral aromatization of androgens. So the compound most characteristically produced by the adrenal cortex as an androgen is DHEA.