TLDR Canine hair follicle cells metabolize DHEA and testosterone differently than human cells.
The study investigated the in vitro metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone in dermal papilla cells (DPC) and dermal fibroblasts (DFB) from hair follicles of four male, castrated beagle dogs. It was found that DHEA was primarily metabolized to 11α-OH-testosterone, with the highest metabolization occurring in DFB from the head. Testosterone was minimally metabolized to 5α-dihydrotestosterone and epiandrosterone, with no significant differences between cell types or body locations. The findings indicated that androgen metabolism in canine hair follicle cells differed from that in human hair follicle cells.
34 citations
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March 2003 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Most dogs with alopecia had higher than normal levels of certain hormones, but hair loss might not always be linked to these hormone changes.
32 citations
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February 2002 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Canine dermal papilla cells and fibroblasts have distinct growth patterns and protein expressions.
61 citations
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December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Steroid sulfatase in hair follicles may be a target for treating hair loss.
28 citations
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February 1999 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Finasteride potentially treats hair loss by reducing DHT production.
41 citations
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March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
124 citations
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April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.
31 citations
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October 1971 in “Steroids” Human beard hair follicles change testosterone into other related hormones, but don't much change androstenedione into testosterone.
