FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR INFLUENCES THE DEVELOPMENT AND CYCLING OF MURINE HAIR-FOLLICLES

The effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the development of hair follicles in neonatal mouse skin were examined. Newborn mice (B6C3-based strain) were given daily subcutaneous injections of bFGF and bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 7 days. By Day 9, distinct areas of hairless, unpigmented skin were observed surrounding the sites treated with bFGF. This phenomenon persisted until about 14-16 days of age when the emergence of hair in the bald patches was first seen. Hair growth continued in the treated regions until they were mostly covered at 18-20 days of postnatal age. Control sites injected with BSA only were indistinguishable from the surrounding pigmented, hairy skin at all ages. Histological examination of skin from various ages of bFGF-treated mice suggested that the growth factor had affected both the initiation and the development of the hair follicles. This resulted in a significant delay in the first and subsequent hair cycles when compared to control animals injected with BSA only. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.