TLDR Male pattern hair loss may have evolved to promote younger fathers for offspring health and survival, encouraging monogamy and paternal nurturing.
Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) may have evolved as a selfless gene to promote the selection of younger fathers for the benefit of the population. This is because younger fathers may lead to improved health and survival of offspring. MPHL may have facilitated monogamy and paternal nurturing, and may have served as a "quasi-truncator" to help preserve genetic integrity in human populations. However, there may be a conflict between individual reproductive success and the fitness of the population, and genes may be neither selfish nor selfless.
Cited in this study
5 / 5 results
126 citations
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April 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.
66 citations
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March 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Chinese men have lower AGA rates than Caucasians, with type III vertex most common; family history is important.
19 citations
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December 2008 in “Medical Journal of Australia” Baldness does not affect vitamin D levels in men.
6 citations
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January 2008 in “Medical Hypotheses” Male pattern baldness might have evolved to help protect against prostate cancer by increasing UV radiation on the scalp.
50 citations
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December 1998 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Hair loss is more common in men aged 18-49 and increases with age.
May 2018 in “Medical Hypotheses” Male pattern hair loss may have evolved to promote younger fathers for offspring health and survival, encouraging monogamy and paternal nurturing.
