[Histologic study of stimulation of preputial glands in the mouse by androgens and inhibition by a detergent or zinc salts].

Preputial glands are a kind of sebaceous glands ; they play a role in reproduction and sexual and social behavior by means of secreted pheromones. In this work, the authors compared the regression of these glands to that of seminal vesicles and investigated the stimulating potency of three androgens : testosterone, androstenedione, androsterone. These data demonstrate the sensitivity of preputial glands to all three androgens. Castration interrupted the secretory activity of the glandular cells of the acini. Four injections of 250 micrograms of testosterone, nine injections of 250 micrograms of androstenedione or androsterone to male mice castrated before puberty restored elaboration and holocrine secretion of sebum. The authors tested for a possible antagonistic action of two substances : a detergent, superinone (100 mg body weight) and zinc salts (10 mg body weight) associated to androgens. After treatment by superinone, histological analysis revealed glandular cell lysis. The action of zinc salts was less pronounced. Zinc acetate and sulfate seem to counter the elaboration of secretions without disrupting glandular structure. The mechanisms of action of their two substances are very probably different.