In Vitro Effects of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, and Estradiol on Cell Growth of Human Hair Bulb Papilla Cells and Hair Root Sheath Fibroblasts
July 1990
in “
Acta Dermato Venereologica
”
TLDR High levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone inhibit hair cell growth, while high levels of estradiol promote it.
The study investigated the effects of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol on the growth of human hair bulb papilla cells and hair root sheath fibroblasts in vitro. Cells were isolated from anagen hair follicles of 6 healthy male subjects. It was found that concentrations of testosterone and DHT above 30 ng/ml significantly reduced the growth of both cell types, while lower doses had no effect. Estradiol did not significantly influence growth at concentrations up to 10 ng/ml, but higher concentrations increased growth as indicated by [3H]thymidine uptake. Papilla cells were more sensitive to testosterone and DHT than root sheath fibroblasts, as shown by growth curves, [3H]thymidine uptake, and cell doubling time.
