Which of the following target tissues is incapable of producing steroidal hormones?

• A. Adrenal medulla
• B. Placenta
• C. Ovary
• D. Testis

Answer: (A)

Steroid hormones come from cholesterol through enzymes located in mitochondria and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Tissues like the adrenal cortex, ovaries, testes, and placenta have the necessary steroidogenic enzymes to carry out this pathway, producing cortisol, aldosterone, estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone.

The adrenal medulla, however, does not use this pathway. Its chromaffin cells convert tyrosine into catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) via the catecholamine synthesis enzymes, not into steroids. That’s why the adrenal medulla cannot produce steroid hormones.

So the tissue incapable of producing steroid hormones is the adrenal medulla.