Final answer:
The adrenal cortex is a secondary site of androgen production in both males and females, supplementing the primary production of sex hormones from the gonads, which are the testes in males and ovaries in females.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adrenal Cortex and Androgens
The adrenal cortex is the primary site of androgen production in both sexes. While the testes in males and the ovaries in females are the primary sites for producing sex hormones, the adrenal cortex also contributes to the production of these hormones. Androgens, which promote masculinity, are secreted by the adrenal cortex in small amounts in both males and females.
These androgens are produced specifically in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. Androgens are essential precursors for the production of more potent sex hormones; in males they are converted to testosterone in the testes, while in females they are converted to estrogens in the ovaries. In females, adrenal androgens can contribute to the libido, particularly after menopause when the ovarian production of hormones declines.
There is a common misconception that androgens are only male hormones. However, androgens such as dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) play a role in both sexes. Their overproduction can lead to masculinization in females. Overall, the adrenal cortex's production of androgens supplements the hormones released from the gonads, rather than being the primary source of sex hormones.