Which of the following tissues does not secrete steroid hormones?

Which of the following tissues does not secrete steroid hormones?

• A. Ovaries
• B. Pituitary gland
• C. Testes
• D. Adrenal cortex

Answer: (B)

Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble signals derived from cholesterol and are produced by tissues with steroidogenic enzymes in the adrenal cortex and gonads. The ovaries and testes make estrogens, progesterone, and androgens, while the adrenal cortex produces glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The pituitary gland does not synthesize steroids; it releases peptide hormones that regulate other glands. For instance, ACTH from the pituitary stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol, but the pituitary itself does not secrete steroids. So, the tissue that does not secrete steroid hormones is the pituitary gland.

Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble signals derived from cholesterol and are produced by tissues with steroidogenic enzymes in the adrenal cortex and gonads. The ovaries and testes make estrogens, progesterone, and androgens, while the adrenal cortex produces glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The pituitary gland does not synthesize steroids; it releases peptide hormones that regulate other glands. For instance, ACTH from the pituitary stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol, but the pituitary itself does not secrete steroids. So, the tissue that does not secrete steroid hormones is the pituitary gland.