THE INFLUENCE OF PITUITARY HORMONES ON THE RESPONSE OF THE SEBACEOUS GLANDS OF THE MALE RAT TO TESTOSTERONE

Abstract

SUMMARY Testosterone implants releasing about 0·2 mg./day had no effect on sebum production in hypophysectomized-castrated rats, even though treatment by a similar dose of testosterone has been shown to effect a marked increase in sebaceous activity in rats with intact pituitaries. A preparation of porcine growth hormone, and a preparation of prolactin (luteotrophin) which had no growth hormone activity, were each capable of fully restoring the response of the sebaceous gland in hypophysectomized male rats to testosterone, though the pituitary hormones had no effect by themselves. The stimulation of sebaceous activity was measured both by the increase in sebum production and by the increased incidence of cell division in the sebaceous glands. The responses of the preputial glands and seminal vesicles to testosterone were independent of the presence of the pituitary, and were not significantly enhanced by the hypophysial hormones.