Allergic and endocrine dermatoses in the dog and cat. II. Hormones and skin

Sex hormone-related and growth hormone-related alopecias

Canine endocrine dermatoses are characterized by bilateral symmetrical alopecia. Although growth hormone-related and sex hormone-related dermatoses are less common than hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, they are important causes of hormonal skin disease. Several new syndromes associated with growth and sex hormones recently have been described.

The distribution of enzymes in the epidermis of the domestic cat

With the help of enzyme histochemical methods, the distribution and activities of several oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes in the epidermis of the densely-haired domestic cat have been studied. Distinct oxidative enzyme activity could be demonstrated in all epidermal layers except the stratum corneum. Among the hydrolytic enzymes investigated, strong reactions for non-specific esterases were visible especially in the str. granulosum and the basal lamellae of the str. corneum. Positive reactions for cholinesterases could not be observed in the cat epidermis. The results are discussed in relation to corresponding investigations on the epidermis of sparsely-haired mammals, e.g. the domestic pig and man. Generally the enzyme pattern of the cat epidermis only shows limited parallels to man, especially where esterase distribution is concerned.

Hydrolytic enzymes in the sebaceous glands of the domestic cat

The distribution and activities of some hydrolytic enzymes in various portions of the sebaceous glands of the domestic cat have been studeid. The results point to the outstanding importance of none-specific esterases and lipases for sebum production, which generally appears to be abundant in thickly-haired mammals. The activities of the lysosomal enzymes demonstrated were connected with autolytic processes during sebaceous gland cell differentiation. There was a strong aryl-sulphatase reaction in the sebum of the sebaceous gland excretory ducts.