Estrogen Receptors in Black and White Hairs

December 2014 in “ Bali Medical Journal ”

Hening Laswati, J Alex Pangkahila

estrogen receptors radioreceptor binding assay hair pigmentation

Studysummary This study observed that estrogen receptor content was lower in white hair compared to black hair, with the lowest levels recorded in male white hair among participants aged 50-56. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated estrogen receptor levels in black and white hairs of males and females aged 50-56 using a radioreceptor binding assay. It found that females had higher estrogen receptor levels in both black (479.3 ± 37.5 CPM) and white hairs (387.7 ± 33.0 CPM) compared to males, whose black and white hairs had lower receptor levels (316.9 ± 17.8 CPM and 274.0 ± 19.8 CPM, respectively). The results indicated a significant decrease in estrogen receptors in white hairs compared to black hairs for both genders, with the lowest levels recorded in male white hairs. The study concluded that estrogen receptors play a role in hair pigmentation, and their decrease is associated with the transition from black to white hair.

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Research cited in this study

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