Summary
In recent years, the hamster flank organ test has been frequently used to screen compounds for antiandrogenic activity. When used routinely, the diameter of the pigmented spot is used to evaluate the androgenic or antiandrogenic effect of the drug tested. In this article, it is shown that the pigmented spot and the sebaceous glands may respond to a quite different degree to hormonal stimuli, indicating that visual observation alone is insufficient for screening purposes. Determination of sebaceous gland sizes by histochemical techniques allows a better evaluation of androgenic or antiandrogenic effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Frost P, Gomez EC (1972) Inhibitors of sex hormones: Development of experimental models. In: Montagna W, van Scott EJ, Stougthon RB (eds) Advances in biology of skin, vol 12. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, pp 403–420
Frost P, Giegel JL, Weinstein GD, Gomez EC (1973) Biodynamic studies of hamster flank organ growth: Hormonal influences. J Invest Dermatol 61:159–167
Gomez EC, Moskowitz RJ (1980) Effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid on the hamster flank organ. J Invest Dermatol 74:392–397
Hammerstein J, Meckies J, Leo-Rossberg L, Moltz L, Zielske F (1975) Use of cyproterone acetate in the treatment of acné, hirsutism and virilism. J Steroid Biochem 6:827–836
Hamilton JB, Montagna W (1950) The sebaceous glands of the hamster. Morphological effects of androgens on integumentary structure. Am J Anat 86:191–233
Neumann F, Elger W, Steinbeck H (1970) Antiandrogens and reproductive development. Philos Trans R Soc London, Ser B 259:179–184
Ott F, Hoffet H (1968) Beeinflussung von Libido, Potenz und Hodenfunktion durch Antiandrogene. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 98:1812–1815
Vermorken AJM, Goos CMAA, Roelofs HMJ (1980) A method for the evaluation of the local antiandrogenic action of 5α-reductase inhibitors on human skin. Br J Dermatol 102:695–701
Vermorken AJM, Goos CMAA, Roelofs HMJ (1980) The antiandrogenic effect of progesterone on the hamster flank organ. Br J Dermatol 102:455–461
Vermorken AJM, Goos CMAA, Wirtz P (1982) Evaluation of the hamster flank organ test for the screening of antiandrogens. Br J Dermatol 106:99–101
Voigt W, Hsia SL (1973) The antiandrogenic action of 4-androsten-3-one-17β carboxylic acid and its methyl ester on the hamster flank organ. Endocrinology 92:1216–1222
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goos, C.M.A.A., Wirtz, P. & Vermorken, A.J.M. An improved method for evaluating antiandrogens. Arch Dermatol Res 273, 333–341 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409263
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409263