The effects of sialoadenectomy & flutamide on skin development

Epidermal growth factor is a low molecular weight polypeptide with 53 amino acids and is known to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation in a wide range of tissues. The submandibulary gland in the mouse is a rich source of epidermal growth factor and decreased plasma epidermal growth factor levels have been observed after sialoadenectomy (removal of the submandibular glands). Furthermore. there is evidence that epidermal growth factor stimulates spermatogenesis and reverses antiandrogen induced cryptorchidism.

In the present study, the teratogenic effects of sialoadenectomy and antiandrogen (flutamide) administration on rat skin were investigated histologically.

Thirty Spraque-Dawley female rats were separated into three groups (n = 10), a control (sham-operated) and two experimental groups. The first experimental group of rats were subjected to sialoadenectomy in order to create maternal EGF deficiency one month before copulation. The second experimental group of rats were given flutamide (10 mg/100 g) for ten days during pregnancy. Three months after birth, a penile skin biopsy was taken from respective offspring in all groups.

A statistically significant reduced body weight and length were noted in the first group of litters (maternal EGF deficient) and in the flutamide administered group when compared to the control group. Atrophic epidermis and dermal adnexa were observed histologically as the teratogenic effects of sialoadenectomy and flutamide administration on rat skin development.

Epidermal growth factor is a key hormone for skin development and antiandrogen administration may insult this process by interfering with epidermal growth factor metabolism.