On the Effects of Depilatory Roentgen Irradiation and of Concomitant Administration of Cortisone on Hair Growth in Mice*†*From the Department of Dermatology and Syphilology of the New York University Post-Graduate Medical School (Dr. Marion B. Sulzberger, Chairman) and the Skin and Cancer Unit of the University Hospital, New York, N. Y.†This investigation was supported by Grant C-3756 A&I from the U. S. Public Health Service.

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.1961.76· OSTI ID:4755616

Sherwin, Ruth W.; Morrill, Sonia D.; Herrmann, Franz; Brauer, Earle W.; Buchanan, Sylvia; Jones, Julius

The effects of irradiation with 500 and 1000 r on the fur of Swiss albino mice were studied, each dosage applied during hair follicular growth and during hair follicular rest, respectively. The same irradiation effects were studied in cortisone-injected mice. The immediate response was characterized by epilation of the growing hairs; the late response by shedding of the club hair and irregular, poor growth of subsequent hair generations. Exposure to 500 r during anagen (the growth phase) produced epilation of the growing hair, with no discernible late damage. Exposure to 1000 r during anagen produced epilation of the growing hair, followed by late effects, namely, shedding of the club hair and defective growth of the subsequent hair generations. Exposure to 500 r during telogen (resting phase) did not result in any gross changes. Exposure to 1000 r during telogen failed to cause an immediate effect, but was followed by loss of the club hair and subsequently by delayed, irregular, and poor growth of the new hair. In the 2 groups of mice (exposed to 500 r and to 1000 r) in which cortisone was injected at the time when hair follicular growth was due to occur, a substantial number of animals failed to show anagen hairs. No modification of the radiation effects by cortisone was observed in the mice injected during telogen. It was concluded that it is possible to epilate growing hair in mice by means of an x-ray dosage moderate enough to prevent damage to subsequent hair growth. Resting hair cannot be removed in this manner. Cortisone, interfering with hair follicular growth, can impair successful epilation of growing hair.

• Research Organization: New York Univ., New York
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-015822
• OSTI ID: 4755616
• Journal Information: Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Journal Name: Journal of Investigative Dermatology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 37; ISSN 0022-202X
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CORTISONE
HAIR
HORMONES
MICE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
SKIN
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION