EFFECT OF ALPHA MSH AND ESTROGEN ON MELANIN PIGMENTATION IN ALBINO

[摘要] The effect of alpha MSH and estrogen on melanogenesis has been studied in 24 male albino guinea pigs of the Hartley strain. Both skin sheets and vertical sections were examined after processing with the dopa reagent. Macroscopical observations showed no change in color of the limb or trunk skin in any of the animals following the hormone treatments. Many of the animals showed darkening of the skin of the ear edges. Microscopic observations showed a complete absence of dopa-positive cells in the epidermis of the anterior abdominal wall following the treatment. No melanin granules were seen either in the epidermis or the hair shafts. The numbers of clear cells in the basal layer of the epidermis remained unchanged. Scattered groups of active melanocytes were seen in the epidermis of the ear skin following the hormone treatments, (melanocyte-stimula-ting hormone.).