Prior facility affects alopecia in adulthood for rhesus macaques

Kroeker, Rose; Lee, Grace H.; Bellanca, Rita U.; Thom, Jinhee P.; Worlein, Julie M.

doi:10.1002/ajp.22551

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…Similar facility differences have been found with respect to amount of alopecia [Kroeker et al, ; Lutz et al, ] and hair cortisol [Novak et al, ]. There are several potential reasons for these inter‐facility differences.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

The correlation between alopecia and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at four primate facilities

Coleman

Lutz

Worlein³

et al. 2015

American J Primatol

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Alopecia is a ubiquitous, multifaceted problem at facilities caring for captive rhesus macaques. There is a wide range of potential etiologies for the hair loss, including compromised immune function, dermatological pathologies, and environmental factors. However, few studies have examined whether various temperamental traits affect vulnerability to develop alopecia. We examined the correlation between alopecia and temperament in 101 (51M) indoor-housed rhesus macaques at four national primate centers. We utilized a cage side version of the Human Intruder test (HIT) to assess response to four conditions: no human present (Alone), human intruder standing next to the cage without making eye contact (Profile), intruder making direct eye contact (Stare) and intruder with back turned (Back). Behavior from all videos was quantified at one facility. We used generalized linear modeling to examine the relationship between behavior on the HIT and alopecia, controlling for facility, age, and sex. There was a significant negative correlation between alopecia and various behaviors associated with an inhibited or anxious temperament, including self-directed behavior (β = -0.15, P < 0.001) and freeze in the Profile period (β = -0.0092, P < 0.001), and defensive behaviors (β = -0.0094, P < 0.001) and time spent in the back of the cage in the Stare period (β = -0.0023, P = 0.015). Individuals with an inhibited or anxious temperament had less alopecia than others. Further, there were facility differences with respect to several variables on the HIT, including defensive behavior in Stare and freeze in Profile. These results suggest that temperament can influence the development of alopecia in rhesus macaques. Our results also highlight the degree to which facility differences can affect outcomes on standardized behavioral tests.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

The correlation between alopecia and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at four primate facilities

Coleman

Lutz

Worlein³

et al. 2015

American J Primatol

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“…While hair pulling and overgrooming are often cited as potential causes for alopecia (e.g., Beisner & Isbell, ; Beisner & Isbell, ; Kramer et al, ; Lutz et al, ; Runeson, Lee, Crockett, & Bellanca, ; Steinmetz et al, ), there are surprisingly few studies that explicitly examine their roles in hair loss for socially housed macaques (Beisner & Isbell, ; Kramer et al, ; Kroeker, Lee, Bellanca, Thom, & Worlein, ; Luchins et al, ; Lutz et al, ). Further, although grooming patterns in group housed macaques are well established, we know of only one study that specifically investigates social hair pulling (Reinhardt et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social hair pulling in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Heagerty

Wales

Prongay

et al. 2017

American J Primatol

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Alopecia is common among captive populations of nonhuman primates. There are many potential causes of alopecia, including physiological conditions such as hormonal imbalance and infection, features of the captive environment such as housing type, ground substrate, and group density, as well as behavioral abnormalities such as self-plucking. A potential behavioral cause of alopecia in group-housed primates is social hair pulling, where one animal pulls hair from a conspecific. While social hair pulling has been conflated with overgrooming in some of the alopecia literature, other authors have categorized it as a form of aggression rather than a form of excessive grooming. In this study we examined social hair pulling, grooming, and aggression within 7 groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) (N=319). We took weekly 30-minute behavioral observations on each group for one year to assess the patterns of hair pulling and grooming, which monkeys were receiving and initiating these behaviors, as well as aggression and other behaviors indicating dominance. We also assessed the amount of alopecia on each individual monthly. While grooming tended to be directed “up” the hierarchy (i.e., monkeys were more likely to groom animals of a higher rank than lower rank), most hair pulling was directed “down” the hierarchy. Further, hair pulling seldom co-occurred with aggressive behaviors, suggesting that it was not a form of aggression. Hair pulling also usually resulted in ingestion of the pulled hair. Hair pulling was correlated with alopecia; monkeys who were frequent recipients of hair pulling scored higher on monthly alopecia ratings than those who were less often observed having hair pulled. Our results suggest that social hair pulling is a behavior distinct from either grooming or aggressive behavior, and that it may contribute to alopecia in socially housed macaques.

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“…and other nonhuman primates (NHPs). Studies have investigated an array of potential contributors to alopecia in NHPs, including stress [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], nutritional deficiencies [ 7 ], chronic inflammation [ 8 ], behavior, such as self-epilation or hair pulling by social partners [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], temperament [ 12 ], and facility of origin [ 2 , 13 , 14 ]. While no one single cause has been identified, there are some correlates consistently found by surveys of alopecia within NHP populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Seasonality and Pregnancy on Hair Loss and Regrowth in Rhesus Macaques

Heagerty,

Wales,

Coleman

2024

Animals

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Several studies have examined the etiology of alopecia, or hair loss, in rhesus macaques. While outcomes differ across studies, some commonalities have emerged. Females, particularly pregnant females, show more alopecia than males, and alopecia follows a seasonal pattern. Much research has explored causes of hair loss; however, alopecia can result from lack of hair growth in addition to hair loss. To better understand how sex, reproductive state, and season affect alopecia, we followed 241 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in outdoor breeding groups over one year, recording both alopecia severity and presence of hair regrowth. We found that both alopecia and hair regrowth followed a seasonal pattern; alopecia was highest in spring and lowest in late summer, while regrowth started in spring and peaked in late summer. Reproductive state also correlated with both alopecia and hair growth. Females in their third trimester had the highest average level of alopecia and the lowest amount of hair regrowth. Regrowth resumed postpartum, regardless of whether females were rearing an infant. Results indicate that the seasonal pattern of alopecia is due in part to the seasonal limitations on hair regrowth, and that breeding, which also occurs seasonally in rhesus macaques, may further suppress hair regrowth.

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Prior facility affects alopecia in adulthood for rhesus macaques

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

The correlation between alopecia and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at four primate facilities

The correlation between alopecia and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at four primate facilities

Social hair pulling in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Effects of Seasonality and Pregnancy on Hair Loss and Regrowth in Rhesus Macaques

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