Chapter Twenty-Four
Nonhuman Primates
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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
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.
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.
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.
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
(Image) Restraint and Exam
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.
(Images) Pairs
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.
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Sexual maturity: 4-5 years
Estrous cycle: 28 days
Gestation: 150-175 days
Litter size: 1 (marmosets often have twins)
Weaning: 12-24 months
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.
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.
(Images) Gang Housing
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.
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.
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.
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.