EFFECTS OF CASTRATION AND TESTOSTERONE ON FEL-D-I PRODUCTION BY SEBACEOUS GLANDS OF MALE CATS .1. IMMUNOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Fel d I is produced by salivary and sebaceous glands. Hormonal control of sebum production is clearly established. The influence of cat cast ration and supplementary treatment with testosterone on the production of sebum and Fel d I in cat skin have been researched in this study. On day 1, 12 male cats were anaesthetized and three skin areas careful ly shaven. Then the level of lipids on skin surface was measured by me ans of a photometric method. Finally, the three areas of skin were was hed with 5 mi of distilled water through a plastic cylinder. Fel d I c ollected in the washes was measured with a two-site monoclonal antibod y based ELISA. On day 2, six cats were castrated, the other six were u sed as a control group. Two and 4 weeks later, the levels of lipids an d Fel d I in skin washes were measured again in all cats. On day 30, t he six castrated cats were injected intramuscularly with prolonged-act ion testosterone. Two weeks later, quantification of lipids and Fel d I in all animals was repeated. Sebum and Fel d I levels decreased in a ll castrated animals. Injecting the castrated cats with testosterone l ed to a significant increase in sebum and Fel d I production. Our find ings indicate that Fel d I production is influenced by the production of hormones.