[Oral zinc therapy and sebaceous gland secretion (author's transl)]

Fifteen male Syrian hamsters were treated for 10 days with 3 x 20 mg zinc sulfate (corresponding to 13,5 mg elementar Zn/d) by means of a stomach tube. Fifteen control animals remained untreated. After treatment the size of sebaceous glands was measured with th plate integration method and the mitotic rate was determined with the colchicine method in both treated and control animals. Zinc therapy significantly increases the size of the sebaceous glands, as well as the cell proliferation in the sebaceous glands.