From: patrick 31/07/2001 9:20:56 Subject: nose hair post id: 365583 Why is it that as I approach 60, the hair on my head is falling(has fallen)out, but the hair/whiskers on (not in) my nose, and ears is sprouting ? From: Zardoz ® 31/07/2001 9:30:10 Subject: re: nose hair post id: 365595 The cells that regulate hair growth on the scalp are controlled by a gene that is on the X chromosome (X-linked trait). If that gene, which comes from the maternal side, says for the hairs to drop out and not grow any more, then you "go bald" and no endogenous hormone production will save that hair. A gene that is not X-linked regulates the follicular cells for hair growth elsewhere on the body. These cells can be stimulated to produce more and longer hair by Somatotropin (SH, and also called Growth Hormone-GH) coupled with androgens. As one ages, SH secretion can increase and the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex can produce more androgens (male sex hormones) and the combination can cause the hair to go wild. This can happen to males and females. If they are still living, you might take a close look at your grandmothers or great-grandmothers on either side of the family and you will probably see they either have increased facial hair or they have the hair removed on a regular basis. The increased SH is also the reason that many older people have larger lips, ears, nose, and thicker fingers. Normally the slight SH increase is not a problem and nobody thinks much about it. However, some middle-aged-to-older people have a dramatic increase in SH that will cause much more growth and when it happens this abnormality is called Acromegaly. http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/jun2000/959821992.Gb.r.html BIG D This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.