Changes in the matrix proteins of wool and XXXX hair following the administration of depilatory compounds.

@entity742 @entity19 @entity535 @entity786 @entity25223 @entity1853 @entity72910 @entity599 @entity669
After @entity742 were defleeced with @entity25223 , @entity786 or @entity72910 , the first samples of the new growth of wool differed markedly in composition from the pretreatment samples, there being substantial reductions in the high- @entity669 proteins and increases in the high- @entity599 proteins. Similar results were obtained with @entity19 dehaired with @entity25223 and with @entity742 treated with low levels of @entity25223 which resulted in weakened wool rather than depilation. The composition of later samples of the regrowth wool showed progressive changes with time. The high- @entity669 proteins tended to approach the pretreatment levels, although this may take up to 12 weeks to occur, whereas the levels of high- @entity599 proteins, after the initial increase, often fell below normal. In experiments involving defleecing with @entity786 , the level of the latter proteins was still below normal after 3 months. The possibility that this altered protein composition of keratin fibres is characteristic of that portion of fibre first produced by a new or regenerating follicle was investigated in @entity742 and @entity19 . It was found that wool follicles regenerating after plucking, and newly operating follicles in young @entity742 and @entity19 , also produced wool and hair with a reduced content of high- @entity669 proteins. It is suggested, therefore, that the apparent long-term inhibition of the high- @entity669 proteins may not be the direct consequence of the administration of the chemical but rather be characteristic of normal wool and hair regrowth. Infusion of an @entity535 mixture lacking @entity1853 into the abomasum of @entity742 caused the growth of weak wool but did not suppress the synthesis of the high- @entity669 proteins. This is in contrast with previous findings that treatments which weaken wool also suppress high- @entity669 proteins.
