What are considered the primary adrenal androgens?

The primary adrenal androgens are indeed DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and androstenedione. These hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and play significant roles in sexual development, reproductive function, and the overall hormonal milieu in both men and women.

DHEA and DHEAS are particularly important as they serve as precursors to more potent androgens and estrogens, influencing various physiological processes in the body. Androstenedione also acts as a precursor that can be converted to testosterone or estrone, thus contributing to the balance of sex hormones.

In contrast, cortisol and aldosterone are glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, respectively, which primarily regulate metabolism and blood pressure rather than serving as androgens. Dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone include a combination of adrenal and gonadal hormones, which may cause confusion, but testosterone is primarily produced in the testes or ovaries, not the adrenal glands. Estradiol and progesterone are also sex hormones but are mainly produced in the ovaries and have distinct functions from adrenal androgens.