Journal of Medical Primatology · 1973 · 111 citations · 0 references
AgricultureNutritionNutritional SciencesAnimal NutritionHuman NutritionMicronutrient DeficiencyEssential Fatty AcidsFatty Acid MetabolismLipid MetabolismNutritional DeficienciesRodent NutritionVitamin NutritionDietary Fatty Acid RequirementsDietary Fatty AcidsEssential Fatty Acid Deficiency DermatosisEssential Fatty Acid MetabolismNutritional DermatologyOmega-3 Fatty Acid MetabolismPrimate NutritionRed Cell Morphology
Eight capuchins approximately 8-12 months old were maintained on diets supposed to contain all the essential dietary elements, only the intake ofvitamin D being subject to variation. Essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements were suppliedby corn oil (Mazda). All the monkeys developed skin lesions, and two were destroyed after self-mutilation. EFA deficiency was suspected from the symptoms and organ histology. Analyses of red cell membranes andbiopsy and autopsy samples of tissues suggested a specific linolenic acid deficiency. Complete recovery occurred when purified linseed oil was added to the diet.