Cyclic Changes in the Metabolism of Estradiol by Rat Skin During the Hair Cycle**From the Departments of Dermatology and Biochemistry. University of Miami School of Medicine. Miami, Florida, 33136.

Abstract

Metabolism of estradiol by dorsal and plantar skin of Wistar rats was examined during three consecutive hair cycles. Conversion of estradiol to estrone increased and decreased in parallel with the growth and regression of the hair follicles in the dorsal skin, but was minimal and non-cyclic in the glabrous plantar skin. When the metabolic activity was related to DNA content of the skirt, the data suggested that the changes in activity were due to changes in enzyme activity within the cell as well as changes in the number of cells