Increased synthesis of cholesterol stearate in flanking organ from gonadectomized female hamsters treated with progesterone and 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone.

We demonstrated for the first time that progesterone and 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone stimulate [U-14C]glucose incorporation into lipids in gonadectomized female hamster flanking organs. We also found that cholesterol stearate is the major lipid synthesized female hamster flanking organs under progesterone and 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone stimulation. In this manner, progesterone and 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone alter the consistency of sebum from gonadectomized female glands.