Tryptophan, copper and zinc in hair of healthy subjects. Correlation with differences in hair pigmentation

Tryptophan, copper and zinc levels were determined in the hair of 300 healthy subjects divided by sex, age and hair colour. Sex influences tryptophan content in hair, the levels of this amino acid being higher in males than in females. Tryptophan is also higher in infancy (2-5 years) and in both males and females aging around 80 years and over. Hair colour also influences tryptophan levels, which increase from fair to black hair. Copper levels are similar in hair of both males and females, while those of zinc are higher in women. Age influences the distribution of these two metals in human hair. Copper contents in hair of males are higher at the age 20-40 years. In females, values decrease over the age of 60 years. Instead, zinc levels are higher between 20 and 60 years in males, and between 13 and 19 years in females. As regards hair colour, copper is slightly higher in black hair in males and in fair hair in females, and lower in white hair in both sexes. Zinc values appear to be higher in red and lower in white hair in males. In females they are higher in black hair.     

Sex differences in adult pubic hair distribution in Nigeria

Pubic hair was studied in 520 men and 270 women belonging to the various parts of the Northern Nigeria. An attempt has been made to study the pubic hair pattern in three age groups. The distribution of pubic hair was classified into four types, designated as horizontal, sagittal, acuminate and disperse. The acuminate or "masculine" type is present in approximately half of the men and 10 percent of the women. It is characteristic of 39.8 per cent of 19-20 years old males, and persists in 20.2 per cent of adult males. In the majority the division into "masculine" and "feminine" types is found to be satisfactory. There is definite relationship between the age of an individual and hair pattern. In males the decrease in frequency of the horizontal pattern with age is associated with increase in general hirsutism and is associated by the development of a disperse pubic hair pattern.     

Sex differences in smiling and other photographed traits: a theoretical assessment

Many studies have shown that females smile more than males do in social situations. The present study extends this research by examining a large sample of high school yearbook photographs. In addition to assessing the degree of smiling, ratings were obtained of the following traits for each photograph: hair length, hair colour, masculine-feminine appearance and physical attractiveness. Results reconfirmed earlier research showing that females smile more than males do while they are being photographed. Other findings were that smiling was positively correlated with hair length, femininity and physical attractiveness for females but not for males. When a multivariate analysis was performed, none of these traits predicted smiling in males, and only femininity was significant in predicting smiling in females. Although social learning theories of smiling can account for some of these findings, a recently proposed neurohormonal theory seems to best explain why femininity is related to smiling in females but not in males.     

Sexual dimorphism of guava weevil Conotrachelus psidii Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

We investigate structural and behavioral differences between male and female adults of guava weevil, Conotrachelus psidii Marshall, 1922 to help in sex determination. Weevils collected from a commercial guava orchard were individually caged and maintained under laboratory conditions. Every day ten individuals were grouped and their behavior was observed. During mating the males and females were identified. Fifty weevils of each sex were killed and they were observed with stereoscopic microscope. The antenna insertion on the rostrum and hair on the thorax and abdomen surfaces were examined. Length and width of body, pronotum, last abdominal sternite and rostrum were also taken. Behaviorally, the male weevils produce audible sound by stridulation of abdomen while females do not. In the females, the body and pronotum width and body a rostrum length were higher than in the males, but the last abdominal sternite was smaller. Three other structural differences were visible with the naked eye: 1) the anterior region of pronotum have scarce hair or have not in the females and hair is dense in the males; 2) the last tergite of females is hidden by the penultimate tergite whereas in the males is visible; 3) the first abdominal sternite of females is more prominent, very convex and without or with little bristle. In the males it is slightly concave and with abundant hair. The male-female differences found in this work allow, without hurt or change insect behavior, an efficient sex determination of guava weevil.     

A Note on the Hair Measurements of Domestic Dogs

Dimensional data are presented on the hair often breeds covering the main functional groups of dog. In general larger breeds had coarser hair than smaller breeds, and males had coarser hair than females. Most breeds had a skewed hair diameter distribution in which the bulk of the hairs were fine (the undercoat) with a "tail" of coarser fibres (the outer hair). In some animals there was a seasonal narrowing of the hair in autumn, which indicates a seasonal cycle of growth with a spring moult.     

Determination of copper and zinc levels in human hair

The Cu and Zn levels of both 607 men (1–85 y old) and 649 women (1–92 y old) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Sex does not influence Cu (14.89±0.89 μg/g and 15.26±0.79 μg/g hair for males and females, respectively) and Zn contents (200.97±9.68 μg/g for men and 209.81±9.49 μg/g hair for women). Age influences Cu and Zn concentrations, but only significantly in females: Cu levels decrease over 60 y of age; whereas Zn levels increase significantly from age groups 2–5 to 20–40 years. Hair color influences Cu concentrations in both males and females. In males, white hair containes less Cu than black hair; in females, white hair's Cu levels are significantly lower than those of dark blond, red, light brown, and brown hair. There are no significant differences in Zn concentrations with respect to different hair colors, in either males or females.     

Anthropological study of digital and parietal hair of Canadians

Hair exhibits many interesting anthropologic and genetic features such as thickness and cross-sectional morphology. Digital hair, though not adequately studied to date, has potential importance as an anthropologic trait. A digital hair score system was devised in which a number of dorsally haired digital segments (nine segments) of the left fingers, excluding onychogenic segments, was used as a measure of the trait. Thickness and cross-section of the parietal hair of the Ojibwas, a tribe of Canadian Indians, and European Canadians residing in Ontario were compared with those of Japanese and Koreans residing in their respective countries. Segmental distribution of the digital hair in both males and females was similar between Ojibwas and Japanese, Koreans or Formosans, and was significantly larger in British and other European Canadians. Parietal hair of Ojibwas, both males and females, was thinner than that of Japanese, and thicker than that of British Canadians. The parietal hair index was almost equal between Ojibwas and Japanese in both sexes. That of British Canadians was significantly smaller.     

Some genetic traits in Solomon Island populations. IV. Mid-phalangeal hair

Among 425 Lau and 467 Baegu of northern Malaita, there were no tribal differences in mid-phalangeal hair. The trait was present more often in males than in females, and after puberty than before it. Age differences were more marked for males than for females. Among 168 men 20 years of age and older in both tribes, the frequency of mid-phalangeal hair was 58.3%; among 189 women of similar age, 34.4%. These frequencies were at or just below those reported for Caucasian samples, just above that for Japanese, and considerably above those for Negroes and American Indians. Analysis of family data did not confirm the hypothesis that the absence of mid-phalangeal hair is recessive to its presence.     

Town and Gender Effects on Hair Lead Levels in Children from Three Sardinian Towns (Italy) with Different Environmental Backgrounds

This study reports hair lead (PbH) levels measured in 2002 in 193 children from three Sardinian towns: Carbonia, Gonnesa, and Sinnai. Carbonia and Gonnesa are in a polluted area of Sardinia due to their vicinity to the industrial zone of Portovesme. As a consequence of its economy and location, Sinnai is not exposed to lead pollution. PbH concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry. The aim of this study was to evaluate if hair is a reliable biomarker to determine different degrees of exposure of populations to lead pollution and if there is a tendency to higher accumulation by males or females. The girls of Carbonia had the highest mean PbH value (2.21 microg/g), followed by the Gonnesa girls (2.03 microg/g), Carbonia boys (1.86 microg/g), Gonnesa boys (0.91 microg/g), and finally the Sinnai boys (0.68 microg/g) and girls (0.50 microg/g). Two-way analysis of covariance, with age as covariate, revealed a significant effect of town and sex on log PbH. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated a significant positive concordance between PbH levels and gender (score for males=1, females=2). The results suggest that hair is a reliable biomarker to determine different levels of exposure of populations to lead pollution, and they indicate that females tend to accumulate lead in the hair more than males of the same age.     

Age- and sex-related differences in zinc and lead levels in human hair

The hair of 1518 healthy subjects between newborn and 70 yr old living in Linfen city and the surrounding rural area in Shanxi province, North China, was analyzed by means of a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer method in order to determine the concentrations of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). The collected samples were subdivided on the basis of age, sex, and place of residence (urban and rural). In female hair, the contents of Zn were higher than in male, but the hair Pb concentrations of males were slightly higher than those of females. Age seems to have a different influence on the two elements. The maximum amount of hair Zn was found generally in newborns. From the baby group (<1 yr) to the puberty group (15–19 yr), Zn levels in hair increased with age, and then Zn levels decreased with age from the puberty group to elderly group (61–70 yr). The hair Pb levels were the lowest in newborns, increased with age from newborn to infant (1–2 yr), and then decreased with age from infant to the elderly. It was shown that the hair Pb and Zn levels were inversely related in various age groups, suggesting that there is possibly antagonism between Pb and Zn in the human body. The results also showed the hair Pb levels of subjects living in the urban area, except for newborns, were higher than those of subjects residing in the rural area. However, no difference between the hair Zn contents of the populations residing in urban and rural areas.     

川金丝猴体毛微量元素的分析

应用等离子发射光谱法分析了秦岭产川金丝猴体毛中Ｎａ、Ｋ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ、Ｃｏ、Ｃｕ、Ｎｉ、Ｓｒ、Ｌｉ、Ｆｅ、Ａｌ、Ｍｎ、Ｂ、Ｐ１６种微量元素的含量,发现除Ｚｎ与Ｍｎ有显著的性别差异外,余者无显著的性别差异,一般雄性稍高于雌性。与四川产川金丝猴体毛中的Ｚｎ、Ｃａ、Ｃｕ、Ｆｅ含量比较,两地区样本均有极显著的差异。     

Seasonal and social correlates of changes in hair,skin, and scrotal condition in vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) of Amboseli National Park,Kenya

In a 20-month study of six groups of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, I documented changes in hair loss in all individuals, and scrotal color and hyperpigmentation in all adult males. Hair loss occurred seasonally and was most pronounced in low-ranking individuals, especially males. The mean shade of scrotal color for all males and the percentage of males with scrotal hyperpigmentation both covaried with hair loss over time. Scrotal color was strongly negatively correlated with scrotal hyperpigmentation. The underlying causes are not yet known. I present three scenarios based on nutrition, stress from competition, or a combination of the two, that might explain these patterns. Awareness of these easily observable changes may provide field-workers with a quickly assessed visual measure of physical or emotional stress in free-ranging vervets. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Trace elements nutritional status

In this study, hair levels of Cu and Zn were determined in healthy male and female individuals (n=192) ages 3.6–14.5 yr and the correlations with Cu and Zn daily intakes were examined. Determinations of Cu and Zn concentrations were performed by way of atomic absorption spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence. Nutritional data were collected with the aid of an individual questionnaire. Statistical analysis revealed no effect of age and sex either on Cu concentrations in hair or on Cu daily intakes. Zn concentrations were significantly higher in hair of both pubescent males and females compared with prepubescent individuals. There was no influence of age on Zn daily intake in males, however, whereas pubescent girls had a lower intake than males. Correlation coefficients between Cu concentrations in hair and daily nutritional intakes calculated for males and females werer=0.1694 andr=0.1677, respectively; those for Zn werer=?0.2223 (p<0.05) in males andr=?0.2787 (p<0.01) in females. These data confirm that the analysis of Zn in hair represents an addition to conventional materials in the assessment of the nutritional status of groups of individuals.     

The frequency of middle phalangeal hair in Saudi Arabia.

Middle phalangeal hair was found to be present in 71% if Saudi Arabian males. For those exhibiting this trait, the frequency of combinations of digits with hair was similar to the frequency in other populations.     

Comparison of SR-excited X-ray fluorescence analysis with neutron activation analysis for hair and fiber

Human scalp hair and some kinds of vegetable and animal fibers were analyzed by means of the SR excited X-ray fluorescence method (SRXFA) and the neutron activation method (NAA). Human hair samples collected from five males and five females were washed by the IAEA method prior to analysis. In the SRXFA analysis, samples were excited by monochromated X-rays. Fluorescence X-rays were measured by an Si(Li) detector. The elements detected in all hair samples were S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, Br, and Sr. The elements K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Ni, Se, Hg, and Pb were also detected in several samples. After SRXFA analysis these same samples were analyzed by the NAA method. Elements such as Cu, Zn, and Br were detected by both methods, and their relative concentrations show a good agreement of variation between individuals. However, Pb was only detected by SRXFA, and Na, Au, and Sb were only detected by NAA. Therefore, these two methods are complementary to each other for trace element analysis.     

Hair Cell Orientation Patterns on the Saccules of Juvenile and Adult Toadfish,Opsanus tau

Saccules from 10 adult (five female, five male) toadfish (Opsanus tau), 13.5–26 cm standard length, were examined for individual/sexual variation in the hair cell orientation pattern. In addition, saccules from two juveniles (5 and 6 cm standard length) were compared with those of the adults to determine whether maturational differences exist in the hair cell orientations. The hair cell orientation pattern is unlike any reported previously for this species or its congener, O. beta. There are no major differences between the hair cell orientations of males and females, nor between the juveniles and the adults. A slight individual variation is present in the proportion of hair cells oriented in a particular direction in a specific area of the sensory epithelium. Potential ramifications of this hair cell orientation pattern are discussed with regard to development and auditory processing.     

Individual Facial Coloration in Male <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eulemur fulvus rufus</Emphasis>: A Condition-dependent Ornament?

Researchers studying individual variation in conspicuous skin coloration in primates have suggested that color indicates male quality. Although primate fur color can also be flamboyant, the potential condition dependence and thus signaling function of fur remains poorly studied. We studied sources of variation in sexually dichromatic facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus). We collected data on 13 adult males in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar, during two study periods in 2006 and 2007, to determine whether variation in facial hair coloration correlates with male age, rank, androgen status, and reproductive success. We quantified facial hair coloration via standardized digital photographs of each male, assessed androgen status using fecal hormone measurements, and obtained data on reproductive success through genetic paternity analyses. Male facial hair coloration showed high individual variation, and baseline coloration was related to individual androgen status but not to any other parameter tested. Color did not reflect rapid androgen changes during the mating season. However, pronounced long-term changes in androgen levels between years were accompanied by changes in facial hair coloration. Our data suggest that facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemur males is under proximate control of androgens and may provide some information about male quality, but it does not correlate with dominance rank or male reproductive success.     

A note on the distribution of middle phalangeal hair among Tibetans

In the present paper the frequencies of individuals without middle phalangeal hair was found as 55.75% in the Tibetan males and 68.61% in females. Sex differences were noticed in the present sample. Populations of Mongoloid affinity seems to have a marked increase in the frequency of individuals without phalangeal hair and the present Tibetan sample reflects this tendency.     

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region associated protein synthesis in hair root cells of humans at different developmental stages and sex

Abstract

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNORs) associated proteins are important for cell proliferation and various diseases. We investigated AgNOR protein synthesis in hair root cells of males and females at different ages using two-dimensional image analysis. Experiments were performed on 58 healthy male and 24 healthy female volunteers in three groups according to age and sex. Hair root cells obtained from hair follicles were stained with silver. Total AgNOR number/total nuclear number (TAN/TNN) and total AgNOR area/nuclear area (TAA/NA) for each nucleus were analyzed. The only significant difference was observed in TAA/NA values for males and females from 6 to 12 years old. We suggest that the difference is due to high NOR activity caused by increased growth hormone production in hair root cells.     

宁夏回族、汉族人手指指毛的分布

调查了宁夏回族316例（男性166例,女性150例）、汉族542例（男性253例,女性289例）手指指毛的分布。结果表明,手指近侧指节除回族中有2例女性没有指毛外,其余均生指毛;中间指节指毛出现率在同一民族男女间、回汉族间均无显著性差异（P>0.05）;各指中间指节指毛出现频率的排列顺序为4>3>5>2;每指两侧指毛分布不对称;左、右手同位指指毛分布基本对称。比较分析了11个民族共13个群体有中间指节指毛的基因频率。