“…However, primary biotin deficiency using germ-free mice has not yet been reported clearly from the viewpoint of alopecia and growth depression. Previously, we showed that some germ-free mice fed a biotin-deficient diet without inclusion of egg white for 20 days exhibited alopecia, but not growth depression [6]. However, the body weight in rats has been reported to decrease significantly after 50 to 60 days under conditions comparable to those used in our previous experiments [4].…”