THE EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON THE RESPONSE OF THE SEBACEOUS GLAND TO TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE
SUMMARY The effect of varying doses of testosterone propionate (TP) on the sebum secretion and preputial gland weight of castrated and hypophysectomized—castrated rats was studied. The changes in preputial gland weight closely paralleled those of sebum secretion. Small doses of TP (0·05 mg) stimulated sebum secretion in hypophysectomized-castrated rats, but not in the castrated rats. Higher doses of TP increased sebum secretion in both the hypophysectomized—castrates and the castrated rats. While 0·5 mg TP completely restored sebum secretion to normal levels in castrated rats but not in the hypophysectomized—castrated rats, the actual increase in sebum secretion produced by this dose of TP was similar in both groups. It is concluded that at physiological doses the action of TP on the sebaceous glands is independent of the pituitary. However, the presence of the pituitary is required for normal sebaceous gland activity.