Korean J Dermatol.  1965 Aug;4(1):7-15.

Experimental Studies of the Effect of Testosterone on the Melanocytes and Melanin in the Skin

• Kim JS
• Lee RJ
• Park SY

Abstract

The hormonal control of melanin formation in the skin has aroused the attention of research workers for rnany decades 1t is now generally accepted that endocrine factors play an important role in melanogenesis in man and lower animals but it is surprising to find that although much experimental data has been obtained it is still far from clear what action the male sex hormone has on melanin formation, Much of the obscurity probably stems from the fact that a great number of the observations have been macroscopic only and the microscopic studies have been confined to vertical sections, Vertical sections have the disarvantage that accurate melanocyte counts are impossible and that the appearances of the melanocytes cannot be adequately demonstrated. The present research is a ontrolled histochemical investigation into the effect of testosterone on the appearances of the melanocytes and melanin in the skin of the male rabbit using both skin sheets and vertical skin sections Fifteen rabbits were used for the investigation and these were divided into three groups (Immature, Mature and Orchidectomised) each consistsing of black and brown animals, Skin samples measuring about 1 0 sq, cm, were taken from all the animals from the ear, anterior abdominal wall and sole of foot; in addition the right areola was excised The animals were then given 5 mgm of testosterone propionate (u. s. p. ) intramuscularly once daily for a period of 2 weeks in the case of the immature groups and for a period of 4 weeks in the case of the remaining groups All the animals were killed by a blow on the occiput and a further series of skin samples were removed from areas adjacent to those taken previously and the left areola was excised The two skin samples from each region were observed by dopareaction using the skin-splitting technic of Billingham and Medawar and hematoxylin eosine stain

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Wall
Animals
Ear
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Foot
Hematoxylin
Humans
Male
Melanins*
Melanocytes*
Rabbits
Skin*
Testosterone Propionate
Testosterone*
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Hematoxylin
Melanins
Testosterone
Testosterone Propionate