A Possible Mechanism of Action of Estrogen at the Cellular Level in a Model Sebaceous Gland

The effect of estradiol administration and castration on testosterone (T) uptake and metabolism in vitro in two sebaceous gland analogues has been investigated. Uptake of T was decreased in the preputial glands of both cast rated and normal male rat and cast rated mice by estradiol estradiol administration. Conversion of T to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was also decreased in the preputial glands of normal rats by estradiol administration. Castration alone caused increased uptake of T and decreased conversion of T to DHT when calculated as percent of total uptake compared to percentage conversion in glands of normal animals. The demonstration that estradiol suppresses T uptake and metabolism to DHT in normal male rats suggests a mechanism at the cellular level to explain how estradiol might inhibit sebum production.