Hair counts in scalp biopsy of males and females with androgenetic alopecia compared with normal subjects

Abstract

Hair counts were studied in scalp biopsy specimens of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in male and female patients. We also assessed the normal value of hair count in scalp biopsy specimen from Iranians and compared with published data. Thirty subjects with clinically normal scalps, 25 male and 28 female patients with AGA were studied. Vertical and horizontal sections of 4-mm punch biopsy specimens were examined at various levels from the papillary dermis to the subcutis. Hair counts of total, terminal, vellus, anagen and telogen hairs were obtained by ocular micrometer. Hair counts were not significantly different from published data in American Whites but significantly higher in Iranians compared with Koreans (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between male and female patients with AGA. Perifollicular inflammation was lower in both the normal subjects and the patients compared with other studies. In AGA patients, total and vellus hairs were lower and terminal to vellus (T:V) ratio was higher than the results of previous studies in Whites (p < 00.1). T:V ratio of control group was significantly higher in this study compared with previous published data. Perhaps the higher ratio than the reported data could means the onset of miniaturization.