45 citations,
October 2015 in “BMC Genomics” Chicken feather growth involves specific genes and shares similarities with hair development.
22 citations,
December 2016 in “PloS one” A specific protein in chicken embryos links early skin layers to feather development.
13 citations,
December 2018 in “Development, Growth & Differentiation” Sex hormones, especially estradiol, can change chicken feather shapes and colors.
36 citations,
November 2019 in “Molecular biology and evolution” Cysteine-rich keratins evolved independently in mammals, reptiles, and birds for hard skin structures like hair, claws, and feathers.
23 citations,
December 2004 in “Differentiation” Sex hormones affect hair and feather growth and may help manage alopecia and hormone-dependent cancers.