Where Does the Baldness Gene Come From?

Male pattern baldness is related to several genetic factors, including paternal and maternal inheritance. Often, male hair loss is a result of the gene for the androgen receptor, which only exists on the X chromosome that is passed on to all males from their mother.

Maternal Influence

• Hormonal hair loss is the most common form of hair loss and is tied directly to the buildup of the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which all humans produce. The gene for the androgen receptor, which is how DHT attaches to hair follicles, only exists on the X chromosome, which is passed on to all males from their mother. Excessive numbers of androgen receptors cause more DHT to attach to hair follicles and leads to male balding.

Androgenetic Alopecia

• Androgenetic alopecia is a type of male pattern baldness that involves one (or several) genes that are passed from father to son. Androgenetic alopecia predisposes men to similar balding patterns as their father, but is not as clearly tied to the Y chromosome as the androgen receptor is tied to the X chromosome.

Gene Mutation

• Researchers at Stanford, Rockefeller and Columbia Universities have found that male pattern baldness can also be the result of gene mutation. This mutation, called hereditary hypotrichosis simplex, can begin in childhood and causes hair follicles to shrink, resulting in hair becoming thinner over time. Researchers are not certain whether this mutation is inherited or not.