Inclusion of substantial levels of raw-frozen Pacific hake
(Merluccius productus) in diets of ranch-raised mink (Mustela vison)
causes a large percentage of animals to develop an abnormal condition
termed "cotton fur" (CF), characterized by depressed body
weight, microcytic-hypochromic anemia and a failure of under-fur
pigmentation. Observations by several groups of...
The "cotton fur" (CF) condition in mink has been shown through
investigations at Oregon State University to have three basic causes,
viz.: 1) Feeding diets of fish comprising certain species of the cod
family, including: Pacific hake, Atlantic whiting and Alaskan pollock;
2) Inclusion of rancid fats in the diet;...
The relationship of glucocorticoid secretion to light-induced,
early-winter priming of pelage in ranch mink was investigated. Sixteen
Standard Dark, mature, female mink were exposed to natural light conditions
of 45° North latitude beginning on December 13, 1977. A 2x4 cm
area of the right hip of each animal was sheared...
"Cotton fur" (CF) in mink (Mustela vison) is characterized
by lack of pigment in the underfur of dark mink and is part of a
syndrome including hypochromic, microcytic anemia and substandard
growth, resulting from an iron deficiency. Such symptoms
are produced by feeding rations containing raw Pacific hake
(Merluccius productus),...