Biology of Reproduction, Vol 25, 1053-1063, Copyright © 1981 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Hormonal Regulation of Sex Skin in Macaca nemestrina

¹ Cutaneous Biology and Reproductive Physiology, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006

Artificial menstrual cycles were produced in ovariectomized pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) by a sequential estradiol-progesterone regimen. Cyclic changes in sex skin were correlated with systemic levels of estradiol and progesterone. The steroid levels were in the normal range, and the cyclic changes in skin turgor and structure were essentially identical to those found during natural cycles. During the artificial follicular phase, fibroblasts were large and filled with biosynthetic organelles; structures that represented the entire sequence of synthesis, packaging, and secretion of procollagen were found in these hypertrophied cells. In addition, collagen fibers became more dispersed, the amount of hyaluronidase-sensitive material increased, and the stratum corneum became thinner. During the artificial luteal phase, fibroblasts atrophied, collagen fibers became rearranged into bundles, ground substance decreased in amount, and the stratum corneum thickened.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Preliminary data on estrogen receptor levels were provided by Dr. Neal West. Mr. Joel Ito, our medical illustrator, provided summary diagrams. The work described in this article, Publication No. 1172 of the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, was supported in part by Grant RR-00163 from NIH, Grant AM 08445 from NIAMDD, and Population Center Grant No. HDRR-11982 from NIH.