Coat Condition, Housing Condition, And Measurement Of Fecal Cortisol Metabolites: A Non-Invasive Study About Alopecia In Captive Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta)

The study from 2005 examined alopecia in 233 captive rhesus macaques, focusing on the impact of environmental factors, housing conditions, and stress hormones on hair loss. Seasonal changes, sex, and age were found to influence alopecia, with adult females experiencing more hair loss during winter and spring. Housing conditions, such as outdoor versus indoor enclosures and available space, also affected coat condition. Surprisingly, higher levels of faecal cortisol metabolites were associated with less alopecia, suggesting a complex relationship between stress and hair loss. The study concluded that alopecia in these primates is influenced by multiple factors, including social stress, and recommended improvements in management practices to reduce chronic stress. The sample size for the hormonal analysis was narrowed down to 53 animals after excluding outliers.