The Inhibition of Hair Growth by Estrogens as Related to Adrenal Cortical Function in the Male Rat1

THE systemic administration of large doses of estrogen over a period of several weeks suppresses the growth of hair in rats. Hair growth can be similarly inhibited by large doses of adrenal cortex extracts, 11-oxygenated steroids or of hypophyseal adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). It is known that large doses of estrogen cause stimulation of the adrenal cortex via the increased secretion of hypophyseal adrenocorticotropin. Hair growth is accelerated following adrenalectomy in the rat. Baker and Whitaker (1949) and Baker (In press) have reviewed the published data bearing on this problem and have demonstrated that whereas estrogen inhibits hair growth in non-adrenalectomized rats, it fails to inhibit hair growth in adrenally insufficient rats. Baker and Whitaker (1949) have raised the question which is the subject of the present study, namely: Is the hair-growth inhibiting effect of estrogen mediated by an increase in the secretory activity of the adrenal cortex,