Effect of the skin chalone on the epidermis and other tissues in the mouse. A reappraisal of the concept of chalone specificity

Abstract

Effect of a pig skin extract (72-81/ethanol precipitate from crude waterextract) was investigated on the ear epidermis, vaginal and uterine mucosae of spayed mice. This extract has a strong inhibitory effect on the epidermis. Inhibition was less marked on the vaginal mucosa while uterine epithelium was not affected. After stimulation of the proliferative activity by oestrogen a pronounced inhibition was detected in the three tissues. Purification of the crude extract by pronase treatment followed by chromatography on Sephadex G200 allowed the separation of three fractions. Two of these fractions (phenol extract and low molecular fraction) were active on epidermis vagina and uterine. The high molecular weight fraction has mainly a marked action on uterine epithelium. No effect was detectable on intestinal tissues with any fraction.