Implantation of cranial base metallic markers in nonhuman primates.

Cranial base metallic markers are useful in growth and developmental research on the nonhuman primate model. Metallic implants aid in superimposing serial cephalometric roentgenograms in the study of craniofacial changes. They also enable measurement of linear and angular changes in the cranial base. The design of a special implant gun is described in detail. A suggested technique for placement of tantalum markers in the cranial base of nonhuman primates is discussed.     

Foraging patterns of nonhuman primates and the nature of food preferences in man.

1) There are a variety of foraging and dietary patterns among primates; different species have generally obligate food habits. 2) There are a number of convergent dietary patterns among primates that are not taxonomically dependent; closely related species may have very different food habits, while the diets of unrelated forms may be quite similar. 3) At least at a general level, relationships exist between dietary patterns and alimentary tract adaptations. Further comparative studies of the histology of the gut tract of primates in conjunction with detailed and quantitative studies of the food habits of natural populations are needed to determine if more precise dietary/digestive tract relationships exist. Studies of this type should lead to a better understanding of digestive physiology. However, whether we can ever determine the "natural diet" of man by such comparisons, of course, still remains an unanswered question.     

Development of Y-chromosomal microsatellite markers for nonhuman primates

We have analysed 136 newly identified human Y-chromosomal microsatellites in five (sub)species of nonhuman primates. We identified 83 male-specific loci for central chimpanzees, 82 for western chimpanzees, 67 for gorillas, 45 for orangutans and 19 loci for mandrills. Polymorphism was detected at 56 loci in central chimpanzees, 29 in western chimpanzees, 24 in western gorillas, 17 in orangutans and at three in mandrills. Success in male-specific amplification of human Y-chromosomal microsatellites in nonhuman primates was significantly negatively correlated with divergence time from the human lineage. We observed significantly more Y-chromosomal microsatellite diversity in central chimpanzees than in western chimpanzees. There were significantly more male-specific loci with longer alleles in humans than with longer alleles in the nonhuman primates; however, this significant difference disappeared when only the loci which are polymorphic in nonhuman primates were analysed, suggesting that ascertainment bias is responsible. This study provides primatologists with a large number of polymorphic, male-specific microsatellite markers that will be valuable for investigating relevant questions in behavioural ecology such as male reproductive strategies, kin-based cooperation among males and male-specific dispersal patterns in wild groups of nonhuman primates.     

E and EAC rosettes in man and nonhuman primates and the effect of thymosin in vitro.

E (erythrocyte) and EAC (erythrocytes coated with antibody and complement) rosettes were quantitated in baboons, cebus monkeys and cotton-topped marmosets. There was poor correlation between E rosette levels and other parameter of T-lymphocyte function. In nonhuman primates, E rosettes were increased in the presence of thymosin fraction V, while human E rosettes were not affected.     

Intrauterine infections in nonhuman primates.

Gross and histologic examination of five nonhuman primate placentas revealed inflammatory processes, either of the ascending type, with chorioamnionitis and fetal vasculitis, or of the hematogenous type with villitis. These reactions were similar to those occurring in man, with known implications for perinatal outcome.     

Genital Ureaplasmas in nonhuman primates.

Ureaplasmas were isolated from the genital tracts of four of 22 (18.4%) male chimpanzees and eight of 23 (34.8%) female chimpanzees. Twenty-nine female rhesus monkeys, 38 female baboons, one gibbon, and black ape and one Java monkey were shown to be free of genital Ureaplasmas. The rate of reproductive failure among the chimpanzees was high and it is suggested that Ureaplasma may be responsible in part. The chimpanzee may serve as a useful model for human Ureaplasma genital infections.     

Sociophysiology of well-being in nonhuman primates.

Knowledge of neuroendocrine responsiveness can provide insights into the social and physical conditions that promote well-being in captive primates. Activity and reactivity of stress response systems provide information regarding the degree to which animals are prepared for motoric expression, the kinds of situations that lead to mobilization of resources, and susceptibility to common clinical disorders. Social relationships can alter activity and reactivity of stress response systems. In some instances, social relationships can influence well-being by increasing or decreasing stress responsiveness. Other types of social relationships can influence well-being by altering homeostatic processes that regulate activity and reactivity of neuroendocrine systems. When the breadth of social and physiologic processes is considered, sociophysiologic contributions to well-being are more pervasive than has hitherto been considered.     

Use of genetic markers in the colony management of nonhuman primates: a review

Genetic markers in blood were used to identify paternity and reconstruct genealogical relationships in six captive breeding groups of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) using paternity exclusion analysis. The theoretical and observed incidence of inbreeding and its deleterious effects were discussed and colony management alternatives proposed for minimizing these effects. Genetic markers for disorders and both desirable and undesirable phenotypic characteristics have been sought so as to maximize the reproductive success and vitality of the colony by selective breeding. A sound genetic component such as that described here is a necessary adjunct to any successful long-term program for breeding nonhuman primates.     

Chemical and physical restraint of nonhuman primates.

Numerous publications on primate restraint and anesthesiology have appeared in recent years. This reflects the striking growth of interest in medical primatology and of efforts to improve restraint agents and methods to facilitate humane use of primates in research. For access to earlier literature, readers should consult recent textbooks [12; 29, pp. 469--474], reviews on chemical or physical restraint [3, 4, 16, 27, 30, 37], and other valuable publications on these subjects that have appeared since 1965 [1, 20, 23, 36, 40, 42]. In this brief review we consider publications, principally since 1971, that deal with chemical or physical restraint. We also present previously unpublished data on the clinical use in primates of CI 744 (Telazol), a new dissociative anesthetic that until recently has been available only for investigational use.     

Nephroblastomatosis and nephroblastoma in nonhuman primates

Wilms' tumors, or nephroblastomas, are renal embryonal malignancies with a high incidence in humans. Nephroblastomas are uncommon in nonhuman primates. This report describes three cases of spontaneous proliferative renal tumors in young monkeys: two cases of unilateral kidney nephroblastomas in baboons and a nephroblastomatosis in a cynomolgus macaque. Histologically, both baboon tumors were typical of Wilms' tumors found in humans, with proliferative epithelial cells forming tubules and aborted glomeruli, nephrogenic rests and proliferative fibrovascular tissue. The left kidney of the macaque was markedly enlarged and histologically similar to the baboon tumors, although normal kidney architecture was completely effaced by primitive tubules and occasional glomeruli surrounded by edematous stromal tissue. Cytogenetic analysis did not detect any macaque or baboon equivalents to human Wilms' tumor chromosomal abnormalities. By human pathology classification, the diffuse nature of the macaque tumor is more consistent with nephroblastomatosis than nephroblastoma. This differentiation is the first to be reported in a species other than human. The nephroblastomas described here are the first nephroblastomas to be reported in baboons. Our observations indicate that nonhuman primate nephroblastomatosis and nephroblastomas develop in a similar way to Wilms' tumors in humans, although no genetic marker has been associated with nephroblastomas of nonhuman primates thus far.     

Hemolytic complement in nonhuman primates

Hemolytic serum complement activity was quantitatively compared in baboons, squirrel monkeys, cebus monkeys, and cotton-top marmosets. Squirrel monkeys showed the highest activity, and marmosets had the lowest activity. The complement level in squirrel monkeys and tenfold greater than marmosets and almost four times higher than that of man. Cebus monkeys had levels most similar to that of man while the baboon exhibited activity almost as low as that of the marmoset.     

Distinct origin of GABA-ergic neurons in forebrain of man, nonhuman primates and lower mammals

In this mini-review we present recent data about origin of GABA-ergic (gama-aminobutyric acid) neurons in the mammalian forebrain, including the diencephalon and telencephalon. The interest in GABA-ergic neurons, which in cerebral cortex mostly correspond to local circuit neurons (interneurons), has increased in the past decade. Many studies have shown that in lower mammals all hippocampal and almost all neo-cortical GABA-ergic neurons are born in the specific region named ganglionic eminence, and not locally in proliferative layers all around telencephalic vesicle. The ganglionic eminence, that represents a region with thick proliferative-subventricular layer in the ventral (basal) part of telencephalon, was classically thought to give neurons to basal ganglia and septal nuclei, whereas proliferative layers of dorsal telencephalon give neurons to cerebral cortex including hippocampus. It was thought that neurons migrate from proliferative layer to their target region following a radial orientation. However, data in lower mammals showed that this is the case only for glutamatergic principal cells, i.e. projection neurons. GABA-ergic neurons use long distance tangentional migration, parallel to pial surface to reach, from ganglionic eminence, their targeting layer in the cerebral cortex. Especially intriguing, but frequently neglecting, several studies suggest that mammalian evolution might use different developmental rules to provide GABA-ergic neurons to an expending brain. In this review we focus on specific events underlying GABA-ergic neuron development in human and non-human primates. Disturbances of the GABAergic network are found in many neurological and psychiatric disorders, some of them might result from altered production or migration of these neurons during development. Therefore, it is crucial to understand human-specific mechanisms that regulate the development of GABA-ergic neurons.