STEROID METABOLISM BY THE CHIN GLAND OF THE MALE CUIS, GALEA MUSTELOIDES

Summary. Using histochemical and in-vitro biochemical methods, the following steroid enzymes were found in the chin gland of the male cuis: 17 \g=b\-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase, 5-ene-3\g=b\-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 4-ene-5\g=a\-reductase.The chin gland did not metabolize [4-14C]progesterone but it did metabolize a small quantity of [7\g=a\-3H] pregnenolone to progesterone, and readily converted [4-14C]-testosterone into androstenedione and 5\g=a\-androstane-3, 17-dione.These are catabolic products of testosterone. These findings, together with the possible r\l=o^\leof the chin gland in sexual behaviour, may show that sebum has a communicative r\l=o^\lein Galea musteloides and other mammals