Cutaneous hydroxystereoid dehydrogenases and rat-hair cycle.

The histochemical activity pattern of a number of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases was studied during a provoked hair cycle in the rat skin. The intensity of reaction was high with dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, androsterone and pregnenolone, and none with 11-beta-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 17-alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Reactivity also varied with the hair cycle. The reactive sit-s were the acini of sebaceous glands and the hair sheaths.