Effects of Gonadal Steroids on Melanocytes in Developing Hamsters

    June 1986 in “ Pediatric Dermatology ”
    Leo C. Diaz, Tapas K. Das Gupta, Craig W. Beattie
    TLDR Androgens increase pigmentation in young hamsters, but estrogens can reverse this effect.
    The study examined the effects of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and estradiol-17β on melanocytes in prepubertal male Syrian hamsters. It found that 5α-dihydrotestosterone increased pigmentation in costovertebral spots and scrotal skin without changing the percentage of pigmented area, even in hypophysectomized hamsters. Conversely, estradiol decreased the number of scrotal skin melanocytes in intact animals and reversed androgen-induced pigmentation in hair follicles, increasing pigmentation around sebaceous glands. These findings suggested that androgenic stimulation of pigmentation was direct, tissue-specific, and occurred before puberty, while estrogens antagonized this effect. The differential response might be due to changes in premelanin oxidation, melanocyte size and shape, or melanin synthesis rate.
    Discuss this study in the Community →