Factors influencing alopecia and hair cortisol in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
Alopecia can occur in captive non-human primates, but its etiology is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess alopecia and hair cortisol in rhesus monkeys and to identify the potential risk factors.



Subjects were 117 rhesus monkeys at two National Primate Research Centers. Photographs and hair samples were obtained during routine physicals. Photographs were analyzed using Image J software to calculate hair loss, and hair samples were assayed for cortisol.



Age, days singly housed, and their interactions contributed to the alopecia model for both facilities. Sex and location changes contributed to the hair cortisol model for Facility 1; sedations contributed for Facility 2. Alopecia and hair cortisol were associated at Facility 1.



Captive management practices can affect alopecia and hair cortisol. However, there are facility differences in the relationship between alopecia and hair cortisol and in the effect of intrinsic variables and management procedures.
Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Corrine K
CK
Lutz
Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA.
Kris
K
Coleman
Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Julie M
JM
Worlein
Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Rose
R
Kroeker
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
Mark T
MT
Menard
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
Kendra
K
Rosenberg
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
Jerrold S
JS
Meyer
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
Melinda A
MA
Novak
D000367:Age Factors; D000505:Alopecia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D006854:Hydrocortisone
facility differences; hair loss; non-human primate; stress