TLDR Male pattern baldness is linked to specific genetic variations in the androgen receptor gene.
The study found a significant association between male pattern baldness (MPB) and polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Researchers observed that the StuI restriction site was present in 98.1% of young bald men and 92.3% of older bald men, compared to 76.6% of non-bald men, indicating a strong genetic link. Additionally, shorter CAG and GGC triplet repeats were more common in bald men. These findings suggested that these genetic markers were closely linked to a functional variant necessary for the polygenic determination of MPB, highlighting the complexity of MPB involving both genetic predispositions and androgen receptor activity.
179 citations
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September 1998 in “BMJ” Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.
169 citations
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June 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Male pattern baldness is likely caused by multiple genes, not just 5α-reductase genes.
227 citations
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January 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.
416 citations
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September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
124 citations
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April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.
203 citations
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November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Common baldness is likely inherited through multiple genes, not just one.
41 citations
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October 2011 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” G allele of AR Stul polymorphism linked to higher hair loss risk, especially in white people.
66 citations
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January 2001 in “Vitamins and hormones” Androgen receptors are key for development and health, affecting conditions like prostate cancer and male pattern baldness.
5 citations
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January 2016 in “Dermatology” No significant link between CAG repeat numbers and female pattern hair loss in Han Chinese population.
11 citations
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November 2012 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Genetic factors affect hair loss, and molecular testing may help predict, diagnose, and treat it.
23 citations
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November 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Finasteride works better for baldness in people with shorter gene repeats.
