Final answer:
Weak adrenal cortical androgens such as DHEA are converted into more potent androgens like testosterone in males and into estrogens in females. These conversions take place in the gonads and are critical for sexual and reproductive health, as well as the regulation of various physiological functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Weak adrenal cortical androgens such as DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which possess little biological activity on their own, are converted into much more potent androgens. In adult males, these androgens are typically converted to testosterone in the testes. In adult females, the conversion leads to female sex hormones, primarily estrogens, in the ovaries. These hormones contribute to masculinization and feminization respectively and are essential for various physiological functions.
The hormones produced by the adrenal cortex are known as steroids or steroid hormones. These include but are not limited to corticosteroids and sex hormones like androgens, estrogens, and progesterones. Specifically, the zona reticularis is the region of the adrenal cortex responsible for producing androgens, which are later converted in the tissues to testosterone or estrogens. This conversion is part of a complex hormonal balance that plays a significant role in sexual and reproductive health.