Alopecia in Outdoor Group- and Corral-Housed Baboons (Papio hamadryas spp.)

J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2015 Jul;54(4):384-8.

Abstract

Alopecia has been reported to occur in several species of captive NHP. Much of this research has focused on macaque monkeys; whether other primate species such as baboons are affected similarly is unknown. Because alopecia can be a focus of inspectors and a possible marker of wellbeing, the purpose of the current study was to survey the occurrence of alopecia in 2 baboon populations and to identify potential risk factors. Subjects were 262 group-housed and 279 corral-housed baboons. Alopecia was assessed cage-side (group-housed) and on sedated animals (corral-housed). Although alopecia was mild in both populations, there were significant effects of season and sex. Alopecia was greater in the winter (group-housed) and the fall (corral-housed) and in female baboons. In addition, the group-housed baboons showed a significant negative effect of age and a lesser effect of group size on alopecia. These results demonstrate that variables other than those associated with animal management practices can affect hair loss in baboons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / epidemiology
  • Alopecia / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Housing, Animal*
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Papio hamadryas*
  • Seasons
  • Sex Factors