Alopecia in Three Macaque Species Housed in a Laboratory Environment

The document presents findings from a study on alopecia in three macaque species (Macaca nemestrina, M. mulatta, and M. fascicularis) housed at the Washington National Primate Research Center. The study, which included 874 animals, observed alopecia scores over 12 months and found significant differences in alopecia rates among the species, with pigtail macaques exhibiting the highest rates and cynomolgus macaques the lowest. Sex effects on alopecia were noted in rhesus macaques, and age and seasonal effects were observed in both rhesus and pigtail macaques, with older animals having better alopecia scores. Hair pulling, social housing, and stress were considered as factors, and the study concluded that alopecia is influenced by a combination of species, sex, seasonality, age, and housing conditions. The study also highlighted the need for further research to fully understand these relationships.