THE EFFECTS OF THYROTROPHIC HORMONE AND OF THYROXINE ON THE RESPONSE OF THE SEBACEOUS GLANDS OF THE RAT TO TESTOSTERONE

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Treatment with thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) significantly enhanced the action of testosterone in increasing sebum secretion in both castrated and hypophysectomized—castrated male rats. The dose of TSH, equivalent to about 0·1 i.u./24 h for 24 days, was insufficient to increase thyroid weight, even though this was only half of normal in the hypophysectomized—castrated rats. Treatment with thyroxine (T4) significantly added to the action of testosterone in increasing sebum production in castrated rats, but the effect was accompanied by a decreased incidence of mitoses in the sebaceous glands. Treatment with propylthiouracil did not by itself affect sebaceous activity in castrated rats, nor did it inhibit the action of testosterone. Sebum secretion in castrated animals treated with propylthiouracil and testosterone was significantly higher than in those treated with testosterone alone. In view of the evidence that TSH and T4, although similar in their effects on sebum secretion, appeared to act in opposite ways on the incidence of sebaceous mitoses, and that the response of the sebaceous glands to testosterone was increased rather than inhibited by treatment of the rats with propylthiouracil, it is concluded that the action of TSH in enhancing the sebaceous response is more likely to be direct than indirect by stimulation of the thyroid gland.

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