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The biodynamic response of flank organs of male and female hamsters to androgenic stimulation has been studied by autoradiographic and electron microscopic techniques, as well as by routine histology and gross observation. Intraperitoneal administration of 2.5 mg of testosterone on alternate days resulted in bilateral increase in palpable bulk, and pigmentation of flank organs of females, males, and castrated males. Topical application of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), methyltestosterone, or androstenedione to one flank organ of females resulted in unilateral stimulation of sebaceous gland growth and pigmentation. Androsterone, epiandrosterone, and progesterone did not cause flank organ growth or increased pigmentation when applied topically. Histologic changes in flank organs of castrated males following testosterone administration are described. Auto0radiographic studies indicate a decrease in the labeling index of flank organ sebaceous gland cells within 20 hours after castration and a subsequent significant increase in the labeling index within 10 hours after a single intraperitoneal administration of 2.5 mg of testosterone. Pigmentation of flank organs is due to the presence of dendritic cells in the dermis which contain dense structures resembling stage IV melanosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ichthyosiform dermatoses represent deviations from smooth supple skin to dry scaly skin. Ichthyosis comes from the Greek ichthys meaning fish, although the resemblance of human skin to fish skin in these conditions is, at best, superficial. In this group of skin disorders, the scales are attached at the center and do not overlap like fish scales. Some patients have another form of ichthyosis, in which scale formation is not really fish-like at all. Although the term ichthyosis is a misnomer, nevertheless, for historical reasons and to minimize confusion, it will be retained in this article.

The metabolism of testosterone-4-14C by hamster skin and flank organ was studied; flank organ metabolized more testostrone than an equal weight of adjacent skin. Androstenedione.† androsterone, androstanedione, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 3α-androstanediol were identified by chromatography and reverse isotopic dilution as metabolites formed by flank organ. The metabolites of flank organ and general body skin showed identical chromatographic mobilities. Flank organ produced 4 times as much DHT as an equal weight of adjacent skin. The ratio of total 5α-metabolites formed by both tissues was the same as the DHT ratio, indicating that the greater amount of DHT formed is due to greater formation of 5α-metabolites, in general. In contrast, both tissues produced the same amount of 17-ketosteroids from testosterone and had similar DNA contents, suggesting that the observed difference in 5α-reduction was not due to differences in cellularity but to a greater capacity of the flank organ to reduce testosterone. No 3β-hydroxysteroids, the formation of which has been reported in human skin were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]