Histological and histochemical changes in the human skin in hirsutism

Abstract EN

The histological and histochemical changes in the skin were , investigated in twelve hirsute patients and compared with nine normal females of the same age.

Also serum testosterone was measured in both hirsute and control females.

We found that the epidermis of the skin was thickened due to proliferation and hypertrophy of the epidermal cells, as well as increased keratimzation.

The papillary layer of the dermis became dense due to increased collagenous fibres.

Hypertrophy of the hair follicles and increased thickness of the hairs were also noticed.

The sebaceous glands were hypertrophied due to proliferation of the secretory cells The basement membrane of the epidermis and sebaceous glands was markedly thickened.

The elastic fibres were increased particularly in the deep reticular layer while the reticular fibres were increased in the papillary layer.

The alkaline phosphatase activity was augmented in the skin of hirsute women particularly in the blood vessels, however, the acid phosphatase reaction was not changed.