LOCAL INHIBITION OF HAIR GROWTH IN DOGS BY ERCUTANEOUS APPLICATION OF ESTRONE11

Abstract

THE SEX DIFFERENCES in the structure and appearance of portions of the integument and its appendages of man and of some other animals are often striking and generally recognized. Frequent investigations have been undertaken to determine the extent to which these variations in the dermis, epidermis, hair follicles and cutaneous glands are determined by endocrine factors. The diagnosis of certain endocrine disturbances may be aided by study of the condition of the skin and distribution of hair. Partial alopecia occurs in dogs exhibiting symptoms associated with the excessive production of intrinsic estrogens (Greulich and Burford 1936; DeVita 1939). The subcutaneous injection of estrogens in large amounts almost completely stops the growth of hair in dogs (Gardner and DeVita 1940). Thinning of the hair occurred in dogs following the oral administration of stilbestrol (Mulligan 1944). In rats hair growth was inhibited when estrogenic hormones were administered in amounts adequate to inhibit general somatic growth (Zondek 1937; Hooker and Pfeiffer 1943; Emmens 1942).