Final answer:
The zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex is responsible for the production of sex hormones, specifically androgens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of the adrenal cortex that produces sex hormones is the zona reticularis. This is the deepest region of the adrenal cortex, and it synthesizes androgens, a class of steroid sex hormones.
These androgens are precursors to testosterone and estrogens, which have various functions in the body, including the potential contribution to the sex drive in adult females and serving as the main source of estrogens after menopause when ovarian function declines.