Skin Transcriptome Reveals the Intrinsic Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hair Follicle Cycling in Cashmere Goats Under Natural and Shortened Photoperiod Conditions

In a study examining the molecular mechanisms behind the seasonal growth patterns of cashmere in goats, researchers analyzed the skin transcriptome of six goats at seven different time points during hair follicle cycling. Three goats were exposed to natural photoperiods and three to shortened photoperiods. They found that 1713 genes were differentially expressed during the hair cycle transition, with 332 genes showing periodic expression. Shortened photoperiods triggered early entry into the anagen phase of hair growth, with 246 genes overlapping with those showing periodic expression. One key gene, CSDC2, was highly expressed in goat skin and its silencing in mouse fibroblasts led to decreased expression of hair follicle factors and reduced cell numbers and density. This suggests that cashmere growth may be regulated by periodic genes and that manipulating light exposure could induce early anagen phase in hair follicles through activation of these genes. CSDC2 may play a significant role in the hair growth cycle.