Washington, April 1 (IANS) Excessive quantity of the protein Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in in men's scalps may be causing hair loss, a new study says.

The finding potentially opens the way to a new line of treatment for male baldness. The protein, and its offshoot 15-dPGJ2, slows down hair growth in human and animal models.

The PGD2-related inhibition was tied to the receptor: GPR44, which could be a promising target for halting baldness in both men and women, the journal Science Translational Medicine reports.

According to a Pennsylvania statement, George Cotsarelis, professor of dermatology and study co-author from the University of Pennsylvania, said: Although a different prostaglandin was known to increase hair growth, our findings were unexpected, as prostaglandins haven't been thought about in relation to hair loss.