Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on Hair Growth in the Mouse

The study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on hair growth in male mice. Administering 1 or 4 μg EGF/g body weight for 14 days from birth led to the development of curved overhairs, slowed hair growth rate, and reduced hair diameter and follicle bulb length. Although growth rate partially recovered after stopping EGF treatment, some effects persisted into subsequent hair generations. EGF also slowed body growth, and its impact on hair growth was more pronounced than the effects of food restriction in underfed mice of similar body weights.