Which hormone is produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands?

The hormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Cholesterol serves as a precursor for steroid hormone synthesis, and DHEA is one of the primary hormones that are synthesized from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex. DHEA plays a crucial role in the production of other steroid hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, but its direct production occurs via the adrenal glands.

DHEA is involved in the regulation of several bodily functions, including metabolism, immune function, and the development of male and female sexual characteristics. It is often considered an important biomarker for aging, as levels of DHEA peak in early adulthood and gradually decline with age.

In comparison, while testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol are also derived from cholesterol, their synthesis involves additional steps and usually occurs in other tissues or involves other precursor hormones, such as DHEA for testosterone and estrogen. Cortisol specifically is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex but has a more complex synthesis pathway starting from pregnenolone, which is derived from cholesterol. Therefore, DHEA is the correct hormone identified that is directly produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands.