Human Baldness Genetics – Who’s to Blame, Your Mother or Your Father?

The age old question regarding baldness has always been where does it come from? How does it happen? Is it hereditary? If my daddy was bald, does that mean I will be bald too? Throughout the years there has been quite a bit of studies on balding in general. Many scientists have also studied the chromosomes and genetic makeup of both balding men and their counterparts.

While there is no real conclusion so far, it is safe enough to say that male pattern baldness is hereditary. From studies conducted to date, it has been commonly found that male pattern baldness genes come from the mother’s side.

Interestingly enough, women whose father’s are bald tend to carry the bald gene. Thus, it is no surprise that when a woman whose father is bald has a son, that son usually ends up being bald, too. Now this isn’t necessarily so in every single case, but in many cases, this holds true.

Scientists explain this phenomenon by pointing to the mother’s X-chromosome. When a woman is pregnant, the child gets its x-chromosomes from the mother and the Y-chromosomes from the father. The x-chromosome is said to be the one that carries the male pattern baldness gene.

Whether the male pattern baldness genetics theory holds up or not is in question by some who do not believe the theory that males get this gene from their mother. However, time has proven to some that this theory is true for their unique cases.

Is there such a thing as male pattern baldness genetics? Is it true that if your mother’s father was bald, then you have a greater chance of being bald, too? Perhaps only time can tell. The answer to these questions is truly up to you—what do you believe?

One Response to “Human Baldness Genetics – Who’s to Blame, Your Mother or Your Father?”

  1. Dontcha Want Some Articles? » Do You Blame Your Father or Your Mother for Being Bald? on January 14th, 2008 10:09 pm

    […] While there is no real conclusion so far, it is safe enough to say that male pattern baldness is hereditary. From studies conducted to date, it has been commonly found that male pattern baldness genes come from the mother’s side.  But why is this exactly? How does the mother pass on the balding gene to her son? The answers to these questions are at this blog that talks about human baldness genetics. […]

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