Effects of Gamma Rays on the Regeneration of Murine Hair Follicles in the Natural Hair Cycle

The study from 2017 investigated the impact of gamma radiation on the regeneration of hair follicles in mice. Mice were exposed to 2.5 Gy of gamma-rays at the first telogen phase of their hair cycle and were later examined at 200 days old. The results showed no significant difference in hair follicle density between irradiated and control mice, but there was a notable increase in hypopigmented hair bulbs and white hairs in the irradiated group, suggesting that gamma radiation affects hair pigmentation. Despite the radiation, stem cells in the hair bulge region survived. The number of mice used for different measurements varied and was indicated in the study's figures. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Student t-test, revealing significant differences in pigmentation at 200 days postnatal (P<0.001 for hypopigmented hair bulbs and P=0.0066 for white hairs in females).