Bilateral Adrenalectomy Induces Early Onset of Summer Fur Growth in Mink (Mustela Vison)

The study investigated the effects of bilateral adrenalectomy on the timing of summer fur growth in adult female mink. Adrenalectomized mink, supplemented with deoxycorticosterone (DOC), began summer fur growth approximately 5 weeks earlier than controls, while intact mink treated with DOC started 2 weeks earlier. The duration from initial hair growth to maximal guard hair length was extended by about 10 days in intact mink with DOC and 13 days in adrenalectomized mink with DOC compared to controls. Although DOC initiated hair growth, the growth rate was reduced. The findings suggested that adrenal hormones inhibit the initiation of summer fur growth, potentially linking photoperiod changes to hair growth cycles.