An updated review of the sebaceous gland and its role in health and diseases Part 1: Embryology, evolution, structure, and function of sebaceous glands

Abstract

Sebaceous glands are sebum‐secreting components of pilosebaceous units. The embryological development of the sebaceous gland follows that of the hair follicle and epidermal tissue, beginning between weeks 13 and 16 of fetal development. New sebaceous glands do not normally develop following birth, but their size increases with age. Sebocytes express a multitude of hormone receptors and are heavily regulated to secrete sebum by androgens. There is a large increase of sebum excretion at birth and again at puberty, until approximately age 17. In adulthood, sebum production remains stable and declines to zero in postmenopausal women and in men aged 60‐70. Besides the production and release of sebum, sebaceous glands function to lubricate the skin and hair, provide thermoregulation, and exhibit antimicrobial activity. Research has shown sebaceous glands to possess the cellular capability to transcribe genes necessary for androgen metabolism. Dysfunction of the sebaceous gland can be seen primarily in steatocystoma simplex and multiplex, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma, sebaceous carcinoma, nevus sebaceus, and folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma. Sebaceous glands are secondarily involved in acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, and androgenic alopecia.

A frameshift insertion in FA2H causes a recessively inherited form of ichthyosis congenita in Chianina cattle

“…Sebaceous glands are holocrine glands that secrete a viscous, lipid-rich fluid rich in cholesterol and wax esters, triglycerides, squalene and cholesterol playing an important role in thermoregulation (Porter 2001). The rate of sebum is associated with the number and size of glands, and low production of sebum might lead to sebatosis or xerosis (Porter 2001;Shamloul and Khachemoune 2020). The major functions of sebum are to lubricate the skin and hair conferring impermeability to water, and in thermoregulation (Shamloul and Khachemoune 2020).…”

“…The rate of sebum is associated with the number and size of glands, and low production of sebum might lead to sebatosis or xerosis (Porter 2001;Shamloul and Khachemoune 2020). The major functions of sebum are to lubricate the skin and hair conferring impermeability to water, and in thermoregulation (Shamloul and Khachemoune 2020). Moreover, sebaceous glands play a role in immunity since sebum is thought to have antibacterial and antifungal properties (Strauss et al 1983).…”

The Non-Cosmetic Dermatological Use of Botulinum Neurotoxin

“…Hence changes in sebaceous gland function and increased production of sebum are important causative factors in acne [13].…”

In Vitro and In Vivo Regulation of SRD5A mRNA Expression of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extract from Asparagus racemosus Willd. Root as Anti-Sebum and Pore-Minimizing Active Ingredients

“…Oily or greasy skin is associated with larger pores [ 2 ]. Sebum is secreted from sebaceous glands, which are composed of sebaceous follicles [ 3 ]. Sebaceous glands are distributed around the face, chest, and upper back [ 4 ].…”

“…Sebaceous glands are distributed around the face, chest, and upper back [ 4 ]. Sebocytes are the predominating cells around sebaceous glands, and they express dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptors, which influence sebaceous glands’ activity in sebum secretion [ 3 , 4 ]. Androgens mainly stimulate sebum production.…”