Key genes for mink fur have been identified, aiding conservation efforts.
Otter rabbit, mink, and blue fox fur can be identified by their unique hair structures.
40 citations,
June 2013 in “Scientific Reports” A gene variant in KRT71 causes the curly fur in Selkirk Rex cats.
35 citations,
November 1931 in “Journal of Genetics” Hairless mice lack fur due to a genetic mutation affecting skin response, not hormone issues.
15 citations,
March 2014 in “Biochimica and biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids” ACBP is essential for healthy skin and fur by maintaining the skin's barrier function.
11 citations,
May 1998 in “Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science” Blue foxes born later in the season have a slightly delayed fur growth cycle, but it catches up by mid-November.
10 citations,
November 2009 in “Pigment cell & melanoma research” The document concludes that MGRN1 affects mouse fur color by interfering with a receptor's signaling, but its full role in the body is still unknown.
The gene Endothelin 3 makes mice's fur darker by increasing pigment cells and pigment levels.
51 citations,
May 1996 in “American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology/American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative, and comparative physiology” Gray seals use more energy and have higher hormone levels during their annual fur-shedding period.
50 citations,
October 1918 in “The journal of experimental zoology” Artificially inducing hair regrowth in mice can change the normal pattern and timing of hair growth, with minimal color differences between old and new fur.
7 citations,
January 1991 in “Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A. Comparative physiology” A diet high in vitamin E improved blood health, skin, and fur in common marmosets.
3 citations,
October 1979 in “Laboratory animals” Hairless rats are good for testing anti-inflammatory drugs, similar to haired rats, without needing to remove fur.
38 citations,
September 2017 in “Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine” Oclacitinib maleate successfully treated alopecia in Andean bears.
28 citations,
July 2007 in “Development” TAF4 is important for skin cell growth and helps prevent skin cancer in mice.
15 citations,
September 1984 in “Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice” The document explains various skin conditions in cats and how to diagnose and treat them.
October 2021 in “Nepal journal of dermatology, venereology & leprology” Melatonin is good for skin health and may help treat skin conditions.
August 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Humans evolved to have less hair and more sweat glands than chimpanzees and macaques.
222 citations,
January 2005 in “Endocrine journal” Melatonin is important for skin health and protection, and can be made by the skin or applied to it.
12 citations,
January 1981 in “Springer eBooks” Environmental factors like temperature and nutrition affect hair growth, with humans showing seasonal hair growth differences.
3 citations,
February 1992 in “Journal of veterinary medicine. Series A” The farm-raised blue fox had a delayed winter coat cycle and abnormal hormone levels, but its hair growth and hormone changes were still linked.
September 2016 in “Journal of dermatological science” TSC2 is crucial for proper hair follicle development and patterning.
May 2000 in “HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)” Melatonin boosts hair growth in chinchillas.
November 2018 in “Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology” Finasteride improves heart function and repairs damage after heart attack in mice.
86 citations,
October 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology” The Foxn1 gene mutation causes hairlessness and immune system issues, and understanding it could lead to hair growth disorder treatments.
72 citations,
November 2012 in “PloS one” The protein folliculin, involved in a rare disease, works with another protein to control how cells stick together and their organization, and changes in this interaction can lead to disease symptoms.
34 citations,
April 2018 in “EMBO journal” The protein SLC1A3 is important for activating skin stem cells and is necessary for normal hair and skin growth in mice.
34 citations,
January 1943 in “Endocrinology” Adrenalectomy boosts hair growth and melanin in black rats, even with vitamin B¹ deficiency.
20 citations,
November 1943 in “Experimental Biology and Medicine” Inositol helped prevent and cure hair loss in rats.
15 citations,
June 2015 in “Lasers in Medical Science” The 830-nm wavelength was most effective at promoting hair growth in rats using low-level laser therapy.
9 citations,
May 2021 in “Frontiers in aging neuroscience” Taking triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum over a long time can help slow down brain aging and improve overall health in mice.