Hydrolytic enzymes in the sebaceous glands of the domestic cat.

The distribution and activities of some hydrolytic enzymes in various portions of the sebaceous glands of the domestic cat have been studeid. The results point to the outstanding importance of none-specific esterases and lipases for sebum production, which generally appears to be abundant in thickly-haired mammals. The activities of the lysosomal enzymes demonstrated were connected with autolytic processes during sebaceous gland cell differentiation. There was a strong aryl-sulphatase reaction in the sebum of the sebaceous gland excretory ducts.