VITAMIN-D3 (SOLTRIOL) NUCLEAR RECEPTORS IN ABDOMINAL SCENT GLAND AND SKIN OF SIBERIAN HAMSTER (PHODOPUS-SUNGORUS) LOCALIZED BY AUTORADIOGRAPHY AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

In vivo autoradiography with [H-3]1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (vitam in D, soltriol) and immunostaining with antibodies to vitamin D recept or were applied to identify specific binding sites in the abdominal sc ent gland of male Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Nuclear concen tration of radiolabeled hormone and receptor antibodies was observed i n the corresponding cell types including basal cells of sebaceous glan ds, cells of the outer hair sheaths and hair bulbs, and also keratinoc ytes in the epidermis. Cells of the hair dermal papillae and fibroblas ts of the dermis did not show nuclear labeling. There was good corresp ondence between the autoradiographic and immunohistochemical data. The results indicate the presence of receptors for vitamin D-soltriol and suggest a seasonal regulation of scent gland marking activities by th is steroid hormone of sunlight in cooperation with the sex steroid tes tosterone.