THE EFFECTS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED HORMONES ON GROWTH, PIGMENTATION AND KERATINIZATION OF THE NIPPLE AND AREOLA

[摘要] Large doses of stilbestrol, estrone, and estradiol (50-100 [mu]g./day) applied topically to 1 nipple of castrated male guinea pigs induced bilateral growth, hyperpig-mentation, and hyperkeratosis of the nipples and areolas. Small doses of estradiol (0.01 [mu]g./day) gave rise to growth, hyperpig-mentation and hyperkatosis of the treated nipple with only a minimal effect of similar nature on the untreated nipple. Alcoholic hog adrenal extract, lipo-adrenal cortex, and adrenal cortex extract (1.0-0.05 cc./day) produced growth and hyperpigmentation of the nipple and areola comparable to that resulting from the appln. of 0.1 to 0.01 [mu]g. of estradiol/day. Lipo-adrenal cortex produced little hyperkeratosis, but alcoholic hog adrenal extract and adrenal cortex extract induced considerable hyperkeratosis. Desoxycorticosterone acetate in a dosage of 500 [mu]g. /day induced unilateral growth, hyperpigmentation, and hyperkeratosis similar to that produced by 0.01 [mu]g. of estradiol/day. Progesterone in a daily dose of 400 [mu]g. produced no effect on the treated nipple but the untreated nipple enlarged without developing hyperpigmentation or hyperkeratosis. Progesterone in doses ranging from 200 to 2 [mu]g./day failed to bring about growth, hyperpigmentation, or hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola. Large doses of cortisone acetate (1250 [mu]g./day) applied topically, exerted an inhibitory effect upon growth of the treated nipple without significantly influencing pigmentation or keratinization. Cortisone acetate in dosages of 125 and 12.5 [mu]g./day gave rise to growth of the areola and nipple comparable to that induced by 0.01-0.1 [mu]g. of estradiol/day. Hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis were inconsistent findings. Methyl testosterone induced unilateral growth of the nipple and sebaceous gland hypertrophy of the areola of a much greater degree than did testosterone or testosterone proprionate. None of these hormones caused significant hyperpigmentation or hyperkeratosis. Microscopic changes closely paralleled gross changes and were similar regardless of the hormone used, with the exception of methyl testosterone. The epidermal changes were as follows: hyperkeratosis, increased thickness of the granular layer, perinuclear edema of the cells of the rete, increased size of the basal cells, and hyperpigmentation of the cells of the rete and basal layers. The dermal changes were as follows: increased total thickness of the dermis, increased vascularity and cellularity, and new connective tissue formation. In addition to these alterations, methyl testosterone produced striking hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands.