Acute and Chronic Biotin Deficiencies in the Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)

A chronic biotin deficiency in monkeys leads to thinning and loss of color in their fur, which can be prevented or cured with 20 μg of crystalline biotin per day. The time before hair loss correlates with the biotin content in their diet, and hormonal influences can affect fur regrowth, particularly in menstruating and adolescent females. Acute biotin deficiency, induced by feeding egg white or a diet with 3% succinylsulfathiazole, results in heavy, scaly dermatitis, especially on the face, arms, and legs, but can also be remedied with 20 μg of biotin daily.