Factors Influencing Hair Growth in Physiology
June 2005
TLDR Hair growth is controlled by cell interactions and influenced by specific growth factors and hormones.
The study found that hair growth was regulated by interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells in hair follicles. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF) had controlling effects on hair growth, while insulin-dependent growth factor (IGF-I) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acted as stimulators. IGF-I influenced blood sugar levels and the production of arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid. Additionally, eicosanoid hormones, derived from male hormones like androgen and testosterone, controlled hair keratin-producing cells, correlating with arachidonic acid production.