Lack of influence of testosterone on sebum output and composition in bovines

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments were conducted to determine if testosterone influences sebum output (SO) and composition (SC) in different genotypes of cattle. 2. 2. There were significant breed differences in plasma testosterone levels and SO but no relationship was established between the two variables. 3. 3. Castration of neonatal and adult bulls did not affect their subsequent SO or SC. Testosterone treatment of steers failed to change SO. 4. 4. There were no differences in SO or SC between bulls and heifers. 5. 5. The results showed that testosterone does not influence sebum production in bovines and that there was a strong genetic control over SO independent of sex.