Gender differences and effects of sex steroids and dehydroepiandrosterone on androgen and oestrogen α receptors in mouse sebaceous glands

Background It is generally believed that the sebaceous gland is an intracrine organ which synthesizes its own active hormones to meet its local needs. Objectives To understand further the mechanisms of sex steroid action in mouse sebaceous glands. Methods We have used immunocytochemistry to examine the expression of oestrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse sebaceous glands. Results In intact males AR is exclusively localized in the nuclei of basal and mature sebocytes, while in females it is present at a lower level in both the nuclei and the cytoplasm. Three weeks following gonadectomy (GDX), a marked decrease of AR labelling is observed in male sebocytes, while no change occurs in female sebocytes. Treatment of GDX animals with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases AR expression, while 17 beta-estradiol (E-2) decreases the stimulatory effect of DHT and DHEA. ER alpha is detected only in basal sebocytes of intact females but not in males. Following treatment with E-2, ER alpha expression becomes visible in GDX males while DHT and DHEA inhibit the effect of E-2. Conclusions The present data show gender differences and demonstrate that DHT, E-2 and DHEA exert specific effects on the expression of AR and ER alpha in mouse sebocytes.