Pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia.
Although it is universally accepted that dihydrotestosterone causes baldness, how it does so is not well understood. I propose that 3 mechanisms are at work: miniaturization by a dihydrotestosterone-induced acceleration of the mitotic rate of the matrix that leaves less and less time for differentiation; an increased telogen shedding as a result of the shortening of the hair cycles that increases the telogen number per unit of time; and the increased number and duration of the lag phase or kenogen. That this last mechanism is related to dihydrotestosterone is unclear.
Rebora
Alfredo
A
Section of Dermatology, Department of Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. rebdermo@unige.it
D000505:Alopecia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone