Insights Gained from Chickens' Rapid Hair Development During Hatching Lead to Discovery of Hair Growth Peptide Derived from Egg Yolk

Researchers discovered a peptide derived from chicken egg yolk that promotes hair growth by stimulating VEGF production, which is beneficial for various types of alopecia, including female pattern hair loss (FPHL). They observed that chickens develop hair rapidly before birth, particularly during the middle stage of hatching, leading to the hypothesis that chicken eggs contain a key hair growth factor. In vitro studies with human hair follicle dermal papilla cells showed that a water-soluble peptide from egg yolk (but not from egg white) increased VEGF production and cell growth. Oral administration of this peptide to mice, as well as topical application of minoxidil, both enhanced hair growth. The egg yolk peptide also improved hair growth in FPHL when administered orally. The peptide works by activating the IGF-1 receptor, which leads to increased VEGF expression through the HIF-1 transcription pathway. This water-soluble egg yolk peptide was named Hair Growth Peptide (HGP™M).