Estrogen-binding protein from rat preputial gland: purification and characterization

Modulation of male mouse genital sniff, attack, and mount behaviors by urogenital substances from estrous females

The modulation of attacks, genital sniffs, and mounts in male SJL/J mice by ovarian-dependent urogenital substances in the urine voided by estrous females was examined. Urogenital substances were applied onto the external urogenital areas of ovariectomized mice. When compared with urine voided by estrous females, which stimulated genital sniffing, mounting, and reduced aggression, bladder urine was ineffective. Genital sniffing and mounting was stimulated by estradiol-17 beta, vaginal fluids, and preputial extract. Aggression was reduced by estradiol-17 beta, urethral catheterized urine, and vaginal fluids. Preputialectomy reduced, but did not eliminate, urinary stimulation of genital sniffing and mounting. Preputial extract stimulated aggression. Urogenital substances from ovariectomized females were ineffective in reducing attacks and stimulating genital sniffs and mounts. It was concluded that the ovarian-dependent chemosignals in the urine voided by estrous females are contributed by the urethra, vagina, and preputial gland, perhaps in part through the excretion of unconjugated estrogens.

Actions of isotretinoin and etretinate on the pilosebaceous unit

Isotretinoin administered subcutaneously to male hamsters results in marked involution of the sebaceous glands of the flank organ without discernible effort on the other androgen-dependent structures, pigmented hair follicles, and dermal melanocytes. Treatment of androgen-stimulated female hamsters with isotretinoin prevented the androgen-induced growth of the sebaceous glands but not the formation of large pigmented hairs and dermal pigment cells. Etretinate, in comparable dosage, did not show the inhibitor effect on sebaceous gland growth. The hamster flank organ seems a promising system for assessment of the sebaceous gland inhibitory activity of retinoids and may be predictive for therapeutic activity in acne.

Effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid on the hamster flank organ

Administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid subcutaneously to mature male hamsters produced a marked decrease in the size of the sebaceous glands of the flank organ, without diminution of other hormonally dependent structures of the flank organs. Subcutaneous administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid to female hamsters treated simultaneously with injections of testosterone enanthate prevented the androgen-induced growth of the flank organ sebaceous glands but did not prevent the growth of other hormonally dependent structures such as the dermal pigment cells and large pigmented hair follicles. The sebaceous gland progressively decreased during 3 weeks of treatment and the effect persisted at least 3 weeks after cessation of treatment but was completely reversed by 6 mos after treatment. In vitro studies of testosterone metabolism by hamster flank organ indicated the lack of inhibition of 5 alpha-reduction by 13-cis-retinoic acid. It seems likely that systemically administered 13-cis-retinoic acid, unlike antiandrogens, exerts a specific extrahormonal effect on the sebaceous glands of the hamster flank organ without affecting other androgen dependent cells.

Autoradiographic studies of 3H-estramustine in the rat ventral prostate

The alkylating agent 3H-estramustine was administered to castrated male rats and found to accumulate in the epithelium of the ventral prostate 5 and 20 min. following intravenous administration, as judged from autoradiography. Four hrs. after intravenous injection of this isotope, the radioactivity was recovered in the secretion of the prostatic lobuli. A preferential accumulation of radioactivity in prostatic secretion was also observed 2 hrs. after intramuscular administration of 3H-estramustine to intact or castrated rats. In contrast, 3H-oestradiol and 3H-testosterone, which were also taken up by the ventral prostatic epithelium, were not recovered in prostatic secretion. The present results indicate that 3H-estramustine is secreted from the prostatic cells into the lumina of the prostatic lobuli. It is speculated that a recently detected estramustine-binding protein in rat ventral prostate may be involved in this process and that the present finding may be of relevance in the understanding of the mechanism of action of the chemotherapeutic agent Estracyt (estramustine phosphate) used in the treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma.