Influence of cyproterone acetate and estradiol on cell kinetics in the sebaceous gland of the golden hamster ear.

The cell kinetics of the sebaceous gland of the hamster ear were analysed in untreated animals, in animals treated with cyproterone acetate, and in animals treated with estradiol. Both active substances lead to a reduction in the size of the sebaceous gland (measurement with the integration plate), to a reduction of mitoses (colcemide method), to a reduction in the 3H-thymidine labelling index, to a prolongation of the S-phase (double labelling technique with 3H- and 14C-thymidine), and to a decrease in the number of cells labelled with 3H-thymidine which remain in contact with the basal lamina of the sebaceous gland 6 days after application of the isotope. The results indicate that, like cyproterone acetate, estradiol reduces the effect of androgens on cell kinetics in the sebaceous gland under the test conditions chosen, even if in an entirely different way.