Description and Characterization of a Hair Coat Disorder in Schipperkes

December 2018 in “ Veterinary dermatology ”

Elizabeth May, Linda A. Frank, Mee Ja M. Sula

alopecia Alopecia X symmetrical alopecia hair lightening androstenedione post-ACTH androstenedione estradiol progesterone hair cycle arrest histopathology thyroid levels cortisol concentrations skin biopsies hair loss hormone analyses skin tests

Studysummary This study documented that symmetrical, noninflammatory alopecia in schipperkes is associated with hormonal abnormalities and hair cycle arrest, resembling Alopecia X clinically and histologically.

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The study described and characterized a hair coat disorder in schipperkes, presenting as bilaterally symmetrical alopecia with no systemic clinical signs, resembling Alopecia X. It involved 11 schipperkes (3 healthy and 8 affected) and included comprehensive blood tests, hormone analyses, and skin biopsies. Results showed normal CBC, serum chemistry, UA, T4, fT4ed, TSH, and post-ACTH cortisol levels. However, increased concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were observed in both healthy and affected dogs, particularly post-ACTH stimulation. Histopathology indicated hair cycle arrest in affected dogs, supporting the clinical and histological resemblance to Alopecia X.

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Research cited in this study

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research Novel Insights Into the Pathways Regulating the Canine Hair Cycle and Their Deregulation in Alopecia X

18 citations , October 2017 in “PLOS ONE”

This study found that in Pomeranians with Alopecia X, key genes in the Wnt and Shh signaling pathways and stem cell markers are downregulated, which may explain the absence of anagen hair follicles.

research Treatment of Alopecia X with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

10 citations , September 2013 in “Veterinary dermatology”

This study found that medroxyprogesterone injections led to partial or complete hair regrowth in some Pomeranian dogs with alopecia X, though their IGF-1 levels remained unchanged.

research Canine Noninflammatory Alopecia: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Common and Distinguishing Histological Characteristics

28 citations , May 2012 in “Veterinary Dermatology”

In this study, dogs with hair cycle disorders, especially those with alopecia X, showed a significant increase in the number of kenogen follicles, suggesting impaired induction of new hair growth phases.

research Comparative Dermatology: Canine Endocrine Dermatoses

34 citations , July 2006 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This article reviews dermatological manifestations of endocrine diseases in dogs, such as hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Growth Hormone-Responsive Alopecia in Dogs

21 citations , May 2005 in “Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association”

The exact cause of growth hormone-responsive alopecia in dogs is unclear.

Adrenal Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Dogs with Hair Cycle Arrest (Alopecia X) Before and During Treatment with Melatonin and Mitotane

research Adrenal Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Dogs with Hair Cycle Arrest (Alopecia X) Before and During Treatment with Melatonin and Mitotane

52 citations , October 2004 in “Veterinary dermatology”

This study found that 62% of neutered dogs with hair cycle arrest experienced partial to complete hair re-growth after melatonin treatment, but hair re-growth was not consistently linked to normal sex hormone levels.

research Retrospective Evaluation of Sex Hormones and Steroid Hormone Intermediates in Dogs with Alopecia

34 citations , March 2003 in “Veterinary Dermatology”

This study found that in dogs with alopecia, certain steroid hormone levels were elevated, particularly progesterone, but not all hormone abnormalities were consistent across breeds, suggesting the need for breed-specific evaluation.