The hair melanosome: another tissue reservoir of zinc

Melanosomes were isolated from human and dog hairs and their Zn content was determined. The mean Zn concentrations, in mug Zn/g dry weight, were 687 (men's melanosomes), 641 (women's melanosomes) and 691 (dog melanosomes). These values rank melanosomes from pigmented keratinous structures among the structural elements with the highest Zn content. An interpretation of the possible causes of this accumulation was submitted. By means of the conversion factor between hair length and weight (determined at 0.004), it was estimated that daily Zn lossess via hair vary in the region of 19 mug. In detailed studies of Zn metabolism, excretion via pigmented keratinous structures ought not to be neglected.