THE EFFECTS OF CYPROTERONE ACETATE AND OESTRADIOL UPON TESTOSTERONE STIMULATED SEBACEOUS ACTIVITY IN THE RAT

Abstract

Castrated rats were implanted with testosterone and in addition treated with either cyproterone acetate or oestradiol or both. Testosterone by itself very significantly increased both sebum production and the incidence of sebaceous mitoses. Each of the other compounds significantly reduced sebum production in rats treated with testosterone. Cyproterone acetate reduced the incidence of sebaceous mitoses and the weight of the preputial glands, whereas oestradiol had neither of these effects. When both compounds were given simultaneously, their combined effect in reducing sebaceous secretion was equal to the product of their individual effects. The results reinforce the view that oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic steroids have different points of action in the sebaceous glands, and suggest that the most effective way of reducing sebaceous activity might be to use both types of compound in combination.