SCD and alopecia: In mice, the biogenesis of cholesterol and other lipids has been shown to play a role in regulating hair growth, as mice deficient for Stearyl-CoA Desaturase I (SCD1), the enzyme required for the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids that compose cholesterol esters as well as membrane phospholipids and triglycerides, develop alopecia and possess a sparse hair coat with dry, scaly skin [51] – [53].