Hypophysectomy-induced regression of female rat lacrimal glands: partial restoration and maintenance by dihydrotestosterone and prolactin.

Abstract

These findings suggest that DHT and PRL exert general trophic actions on the lacrimal gland and specifically on lacrimal Na+,K(+)-ATPase, acid phosphatase, and neurotransmitter receptors. They also suggest that excessive levels of either hormone may be deleterious to secretory function. Because sex hormone levels are prone to wide fluctuations in women, our results also suggest a plausible hypothesis to account for the greater incidence in women of lacrimal insufficiency.