Normal hematological and plasma biochemical parameters of the captive bonnet monkey (Maccaca radiata)

The bonnet monkey is being increasingly used as a model in biomedical research. However, unlike the rhesus monkey, very little information on the hematological and biochemical characteristics of blood plasma is available. Comparative data on plasma biochemical parameters vis-a-vis rhesus and human is essential for utilization of this species in biomedical research. Efforts were made to determine selected serum enzymes, glucose, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnessium, potassium and total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, PCV, ESR, and differential leukocyte count in groups of juvenile and adult bonnet monkeys of both sexes. The monkeys exhibited similar values for all the parameters in comparison to rhesus and human except for alkaline phosphatase. The value for alkaline phosphatase was 3–5 fold higher when compared to concentrations seen in rhesus monkeys and human beings. The investigation also describes the variations seen between adults and juveniles, as well as between the sexes. The data presented is valuable for scientists using this species of monkey as a human surrogate model.