Sebaceous Gland Function Before and After Bilateral Orchiectomy

Assay of Anti-Androgens in Man by the Sebaceous Gland Response

“…This assay has been of use in studying other compounds suspected to have potential androgenic effects. We have, for example, been unable to show an increase in sebum production with cortisol, prednisone, progesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone-n-caproate and norethjrnodrel (Strauss and Pochi, 1963;Poehi and Strauss, 1967). We have, however, demonstrated an androgenic effect with norethindrone and norethindrone acetate (Strauss and Kligman, 1961;Strauss and Pochi, 1963).…”

“…Tlie administration of androgens causes enlargement of the sebaceous glands and an increase in sebum production (Strauss et al, 1962;Strauss and Pochi, 1963). The sebaceous glands are sensitive to androgenic stimulation, and as little as 5 mg. of methyl testosterone orally per day will result in an increase in size and sebum output of the glands.…”

“…The in vivo stimulation of the sebaceous glands by testosterone in men persists until a very advanced age (Poohi and Strauss, 1965b). That androgenic stimulation of the sebaceous gland still oeeurs in the elderly is attested by the finding that castration of men even above the age of 70 results in a significant decrease in sebum production (Pochi and Strauss, 1963).…”

“…Children wdth their small undeveloped sebaceous glands •would be ideal subjects for testing the in vivo androgenic potency of exogenously administered androgens. However, in order to circumvent the necessity of employing children as subjects, we have developed an androgen assay system using aduit male subjects (Strauss and Pochi, 1963). In this procedure, sebum production is first suppressed by oestrogen treatment, following which the androgen is administered while the oestrogen is continued.…”

“…However, such an effect occurred only with doses in excess of 10 mg./day (Pochi and Strauss, 1965a). Anabolic androgens such as norethandrolone and methandrostenolone also produce an increase in sebum production (Strauss and Pochi, 1963).…”