Melatonin Regulates the Periodic Growth of Secondary Hair Follicles Through the Nuclear Receptor RORα

The study investigated the role of melatonin (MT) in the growth of secondary hair follicles in cashmere goats, specifically through the nuclear receptor RORα. The research found that MT promotes hair growth, particularly during shorter daylight periods, and identified RORα as the receptor of MT involved in this process. The study involved implanting MT capsules in the goats every 2 months and collecting skin tissue samples for a year. The research also found that MT up-regulates β-catenin and down-regulates TCHHL1, both related to hair follicle development, and these expressions are down-regulated after inhibiting the expression of RORα. The study concluded that MT regulates the periodic growth of hair follicles by promoting the expression of nuclear receptor RORα in the dermal papilla, providing a theoretical and data basis for further understanding the mechanism of MT regulation of secondary hair follicle development.