Synopsis Effect of topical treatment on pilar keratine synthesis in the rat The synthesis of keratin in pre-pubic Wistar rats has been studied under the influence of topic application of a lotion containing vegetable extracts. Changes of keratin synthesis in the rat was judged by the incorporation of a tagged precursor in the rat hair: cystein S-35 administered orally. Two protocols were followed each giving similar results. The first method concerned the regularity of hair growth with one sample taken per animal, and the second required multiple sampling in the same animal. Treatments with daily applications were in the range of 7-21 days. Results were analysed statistically in comparison with untreated zones. The excipient was tested separately in parallel. This rigorous procedure was essential, since the variations between individuals was wide in spite of the rats having been selected from the same litter. Daily application of the lotion showed an increase starting on the seventh day of the synthesis of keratin; the activity of the hair samples was already increased at this time by 90 to 400% (0.05>P>0.01). After 15 days increase reached > 1000% (P<0.05). Increase found for rats treated with the excipient do not reach significance. The hair growth cycle being 21 to 30 days, further continuation of the treatment gave only relatively weak stimulation of the keratin synthesis, the passage into the telogen phase slowing the synthesis of keratin whether it was produced from bulbar pre-keratin or synthesised in the hair itself.