22 citations
,
December 2016 in “PloS one” A specific protein in chicken embryos links early skin layers to feather development.
16 citations
,
January 2005 in “The International Journal of Developmental Biology” Hex gene plays a crucial role in starting feather development in chick embryos.
14 citations
,
May 2022 in “Animals” Female goslings have darker feathers than males due to more melanin.
8 citations
,
May 2024 in “PLoS Biology” Gap junctions help control feather pattern formation in chickens.
6 citations
,
May 2022 in “Frontiers in physiology” Injecting CHIR-99021 into goose embryos improves feather growth by changing gene activity and energy processes.
5 citations
,
June 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Feathers are useful for researching growth, regeneration, and the effects of treatments like chemotherapy on hair loss.
5 citations
,
August 2013 in “Integrative Zoology” Feathers in diet increase gut bacteria diversity in Arctic foxes.
4 citations
,
January 2020 in “Frontiers in Physiology” Good feather growth in poultry needs the right balance of proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins.
3 citations
,
October 2022 in “PloS one” Scientists have developed a method to keep chicken feather follicles alive and structurally intact in a lab for up to a week.
3 citations
,
June 2020 in “Developmental Cell” Feather patterns are influenced by enhancers and chromatin looping, and the structure of protein complexes important for hair growth has been detailed.
1 citations
,
December 2022 in “BMC Genomics” The Msx2 gene affects feather development in Hungarian white geese and a specific gene variation could indicate feather quality.
Cellular flows and tissue mechanics guide feather follicle formation in birds.
August 2025 in “Pharmaceuticals” Hemp seed-derived exosomes help restore feather growth in chickens affected by DHT.
July 2024 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Cell movements and forces shape feather growth in chicken skin.
April 2023 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” Gap junctions help control feather pattern formation by enabling cell communication.
38 citations
,
July 2004 in “Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution” Reptilian scales, feathers, and hairs evolved from changes in skin cell interactions.
45 citations
,
October 2015 in “BMC Genomics” Chicken feather growth involves specific genes and shares similarities with hair development.
January 2024 in “Biochemical genetics” The research found specific genes and proteins that affect how fast chickens' feathers grow, which is not solely determined by traditional inheritance patterns.
81 citations
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April 1941 in “Physiological zoology” Experiments can shape how feathers grow and develop.
38 citations
,
November 2018 in “Scientific Reports” Bird scales evolved from feathers, not reptile scales.
14 citations
,
September 2017 in “General and comparative endocrinology” Barn owls with smaller black spots have higher testosterone levels, which might be due to genetic effects on hormone regulation rather than hormone effects on coloration.
10 citations
,
March 2016 in “Development Growth & Differentiation” Scientists created feather buds in lab-grown chick skin using specific cell interactions.
7 citations
,
October 2018 in “BMC genomics” Key genes can rewire networks, changing skin appendage types.
February 2026 in “International Journal of Biological Macromolecules” Keratin from waste hair and feathers can be sustainably used to create stable emulsions for industrial applications.
January 2026 in “Digitalen Hochschulbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt (Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt)” Keratin from chicken feathers can be safely used for skin benefits.
September 2024 in “Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida)” Hormones can change ptarmigan feather color from white to pigmented.
May 2022 in “Indian Journal of Animal Research” Melatonin receptor genes likely play an important role in the development of goose feather follicles.
January 2026 in “Biomaterials and Biosystems” Keratin from chicken feathers can be safely used on damaged skin.
17 citations
,
September 2022 in “Genes & Genomics” Long non-coding RNAs affect feather growth in chickens in ways that don't follow traditional genetic rules.
10 citations
,
August 2023 in “Animals” SLC45A2 and GPNMB genes help control chicken feather color by promoting melanin.