Chapter Twenty-Four

1. Chapter Twenty-Four Nonhuman Primates

2. ALAT Presentations Study Tips • If viewing this in PowerPoint, use the icon to run the show (bottom left of screen). • Mac users go to “Slide Show > View Show” in menu bar • Click on the Audio icon: when it appears on the left of the slide to hear the narration. • From “File > Print” in the menu bar, choose “notes pages”, “slides 3 per page” or “outline view” for taking notes as you listen and watch the presentation. • Start your own notebook with a 3 ring binder, for later study!

3. Nonhuman Primates • 1% of total no. vertebrates used in research • > 250 nonhuman primate species • Anthropoids = humans, apes & monkeys • Prosimians = all other primates • African & Asian origin = Old World monkeys • rhesus, cynomolgus & baboon • eyes set close together • nostrils open downward • cheek pouches • some have callous pads on • their buttocks

4. Nonhuman Primates II • South & Central America = New World monkeys • squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys & marmosets • long prehensile tail to help them climb • nostrils open to the front or sides • Sometimes purchased as conditioned animals captured in the wild, held in captivity. • Increasing % used in research annually in US are bred in this country.

5. Handling & Restraint • Susceptible to many human diseases. • Carriers of many diseases which infect humans. • for example, Herpes B virus which may be fatal in humans • Always wear lab coat or gown, mask, eye or face shield, gloves, cap & protective footwear. • Regard even playful, friendly NHP w/ caution. • Handle using chemical restraint, heavy leather gloves or pole & collar device . • Adult male of large species less dangerous by trimming or removing canine teeth.

6. Handling & Restraint II • Physical restraint for animals weighing < 9 kg: • Wear heavy, double-layer gloves w/ long armlets. • Hold forearms behind back w/ 1 hand, extend legs firmly w/ other hand. • Chemical restraint: • immobilize in squeeze cage, injecting drug into arm or leg through cage door. • Ketamine hydrochloride is drug most commonly used.

7. Physiological Data • Data for rhesus & cynomolgus monkeys, most common primates used in research • Body temperature: 98.6°-103.1°F • Heart rate: 120-180 / min. • Respiratory rate: 35-50 / min. • Weight: adult 6-11 kg; newborn 550 gm • Water consumption: 400-600 ml / day • Food consumption: 400-600 gm / day • Life span: 20-30 years

8. (Image) Restraint and Exam

9. Sexing & Breeding • Male has externally visible, pendulous penis w/ testes in scrotal sac; female has vulva. • Male larger & more aggressive than female. • The selection of a breeding program depends on the species and the purpose for which they are being mated. • Monogamous & harem mating for increased production. • Old World female has menstrual periods similar to human female. • New World female has estrous cycle similar to other animals.

10. (Images) Pairs

11. Sexing & Breeding II • Most birth 1 baby at a time, usually at night. • Most females good mothers, raise offspring with little aid. • Occasionally mothers abandon or mistreat young, necessitating separation & hand raising infant. • females known to adopt abandoned infants. •  Sexual maturity: 4-5 years •  Estrous cycle: 28 days •  Gestation: 150-175 days •  Litter size: 1 (marmosets often have twins) •  Weaning: 12-24 months

12. Behavior • Social benefit by contact & communication w/ same species. • Inquisitive, grab anything within reach. • Keep small items concealed. • Body language & behavior peculiar to species. • Can tell mental & physical health from body language. • Usually sit on buttocks or lie on resting perch. • Outdoors, enjoy sunning in a variety of positions. • Sleep sitting up w/ head bowed or lying on side. • Walk quadrupedally or bipedally.

13. Husbandry • Group or individually housed • Play w/ their feces & food. • Cleaning may take > time than w/ other species. • Food greasy & can cause slippery floor. • Cage must meet 2 important criteria: • Material must withstand attempts to gnaw & pull apart. • Door fastener must be secured w/ padlock. • Squeeze cage for blood collection, drug administration & other manipulations • Sanitize every 2 wks.

14. (Images) Gang Housing

15. Husbandry II • Separate incoming primates from animals already in facility. • House in small groups of less than 6 - 10 / room. • Assign a number & start medical record. • Observe for signs of illness, TB test & screen for enteric pathogens. • Quarantine period for 31 - 60 days • Very susceptible to tuberculosis • TB tests more than 2x / year. • intradermally into eyelid • Redness or swelling at injection site may indicate TB.

16. Husbandry III • Environmental enrichment necessary • opportunity to behave as though they were wild • House groups of monkeys together. • not always possible due to space limitations, incompatible animals (adult males) & research project requirements • Provide animals w/ toys, food treats, contact w/ other monkeys & interaction w/ personnel.

17. Diet • Most use commercial monkey food. • Diet of New World monkeys should contain adequate vitamin C & vitamin D3. • Give daily food allowance in 2 or 3 equal portions throughout day. • Supplement w/ fruits and vegetables • Supplement New World monkey diets w/ natural foods such as fruit & nuts. • Teach juveniles & adults to use automatic watering valve by adjusting valve to leak slightly. • Start hand-reared newborns on bottle w/ sipper tube, switch to automatic devices when older.

18. Additional Reading Bennett, B.T., C.R. Abee, R. Henrickson. Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research: Biology and Management. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. 1995. Fortman, Jeffrey D., B. Taylor Bennett and Terry A. Hewett. The Laboratory Non-Human Primate. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 1998.