What is adrenal virilism caused by?

Adrenal virilism is primarily caused by hypersecretion of sex corticoids, particularly androgens, from the adrenal glands. In this condition, there is an overproduction of male hormones such as testosterone. This excess of androgens leads to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics in females or other abnormal signs of virilization, such as hirsutism (excess hair growth), deepening of the voice, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Understanding the mechanism is crucial; when the adrenal cortex produces too many sex hormones, it disrupts the normal hormonal balance in the body, leading to the symptoms associated with adrenal virilism. The other options, such as hyposecretion of sex corticoids or deficiency of adrenal hormones, would not lead to virilism, as insufficient levels of these hormones would typically result in a lack of male characteristics rather than an excess. Increased insulin production relates to carbohydrate metabolism and is not directly involved in the production or regulation of sex corticoids.