Age-related downregulation of dihydrotestosterone-inactivating enzymes in human scalp sebaceous glands

We identify scalp SGs as a principal site of AR expression and AKR1C-mediated androgen inactivation, including AKR1C4, and demonstrate that AKR1C expression in SGs is sex dependent and declines with age. These findings suggest that age-associated changes in SG steroid metabolism may influence local androgen metabolism within the scalp microenvironment, with implications for HF homeostasis during aging.