EFFECTS OF ANDROGENS AND PROLACTIN ON THE RATE OF PRODUCTION AND COMPOSITION OF SEBUM IN HYPOPHYS-ECTOMIZED FEMALE RATS

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of five androgens on the activity of the sebaceous glands of female rats hypophysectomized at 3–4 weeks of age was studied by determining the rate of production and palmitate: stearate ratio of the skin surface lipids. Both of these values reflected the stimulation of the sebaceous glands by androgens, but the palmitate: stearate ratio appeared to be a more sensitive index of low androgenic activity than the production rate. The response of the sebaceous glands to the androgens tested increased in the order (the relative potencies were calculated from the palmitate: stearate ratios): androstenedione, 17; dehydroepiandrosterone, 33; androstanolone, 48; androstanediol, 91; and testosterone propionate, 100. Prolactin did not enhance the stimulation of the sebaceous glands induced by testosterone propionate.