Evaluation of levonorgestrel action on the flank organ and the sebaceous gland lipogenesis of female hamsters.

The role of testosterone and levonorgestrel action on the flank organ by measuring sebaceous gland lipogenesis of female hamsters by the metabolic incorporation of 14C-glucose were investigated. Also, a partial characterization of the radiolabeled lipid fraction was obtained. The effects of in vivo steroids administration were evaluated by 14C-U-glucose metabolic incorporation into lipids by the female hamster flank organs in culture conditions, in the presence or absence of LNG and/or T in the incubation medium. The radioactive lipids were identified by thin layer chromatography. Levonorgestrel alone or together with testosterone on female hamster flank organs decreased the organ weight and sebum content compared with T-treatment alone. In culture conditions, a rapid and significant increase of radiolabeled glucose was observed with T. By contrast when LNG was present in the incubation medium, no differences in 14C-U-glucose incorporation were observed when compared with their controls. When T+LNG were added, a similar result to the obtained when using LNG alone was determined. Testosterone increased glycerides and free fatty acids but decreased polar lipids; whereas LNG did not have any effect in the relative proportions of 14C-U-glucose incorporated into the different classes of lipids, when it was compared with their controls. The results indicated that LNG abolished the increasing effect of 14C glucose incorporation caused by T and changed the lipid composition induced on female hamsters flank organs.