The Production of Biotin Deficiency in the Mouse

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Abstract
Biotin deficiency has been produced in mice by diets containing dried egg white with and without the addition of sulfaguanidine. All of the symptoms described in the rat have been observed in the mouse except the accumulation of brownish seborrheal material on the skin. The appearance of the symptoms of the deficiency have been variable on the egg white diet without sulfaguanidine. The sources of this variability are discussed. With sulfaguanidine the results have been consistent. The fur of C57 black mice becomes rusty or gray on the deficiency-producing diet. It becomes black when biotin is injected while the animals are still on the same diet. It is concluded that biotin is directly or indirectly a necessary factor in the development of black hair color. The diarrhea which may occur soon after mice are placed on the egg white diet is attributed to a change in the intestinal flora. Sulfaguanidine at the level used, 0.5% in the diet, is not toxic. The deficiency produced by the combination of egg white and sulfaguanidine is a simple one since it can be cured by the injection of biotin while the animals are still on the diet.