A rapid procedure for shortening canine teeth of nonhuman primates.

A modified pulp cap procedure was utilized to shorten canine teeth of nonhuman primates. A temporary cap was made by cutting the tooth with a diamond-faced cutting disc, making a conical cavity in the tooth with a carbide dental burr, and filling the cavity with a rapid-hardening filler material. A permanent pulp cap was made by repeating the above technique, making three anchor holes, connecting the holes with a furrow, and capping with quick-setting dental restorative material or amalgam. These procedures provided a simple, rapid and uncomplicated alternative to canine tooth extraction.     

A semi-natural habitat for housing small,nonhuman primates

A semi-natural habitat that was designed to house a social group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus sciureus) at Goucher College, in Maryland is described. The design could be readily adapted for use with other small primate species.     

A circular waveguide irradiation system for nonhuman primates: design and dosimetry

A 275-MHz exposure system, consisting of a circular waveguide irradiator and a transparent plastic animal cage, has been developed to accommodate rhesus monkeys weighing up to 15 kg. The vertically oriented waveguide is composed primarily of stainless steel and is fitted with an inner cage fabricated from a tubular section of acrylic plastic. Circularly polarized electromagnetic energy at 275 MHz, either pulsed or continuous wave (CW), can be propagated from the removable top section of the waveguide. The cage is designed to function as the monkey's permanent home. It is fitted with a lever-actuated behavioral performance device on which the monkey responds according to a predetermined schedule to obtain a daily food ration. The system can be adapted to provide for the collection of metabolic and physiologic data as well. Dosimetric measurements were conducted with six rhesus monkeys weighing 3.0-7.2 kg and with a 4-kg model. The dosimetric results show that about one-third of the net incident energy is absorbed by a subject in this system at a normalized specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.33 (W/kg)/(mW/cm2).     

A procedure for arterial blood sampling in the rabbit

The ear vessels in the rabbit appear to be easily accessible for blood puncturing. Several measures are described to overcome problems of vascular spasm and uncontrolled movements of the animal during injection.     

The relationship between blood and cerebrospinal fluid prolactin in nonhuman primates

We studied the relationship between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of prolactin (PRL) in repeated and simultaneous samples of blood and CSF from chair-restrained rhesus monkeys. Following administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), each of 4 monkeys showed increased plasma and lumbar CSF PRL concentrations. Increases in CSF PRL concentrations were muted and delayed until 60 min after peak plasma concentrations were attained. In 3 other monkeys we compared PRL concentrations in simultaneous lateral ventricular and lumbar CSF samples. Although we found no difference in PRL concentrations under baseline conditions, a ventricular-lumbar PRL concentration gradient became apparent after TRH stimulation. These studies demonstrate that changes in plasma PRL concentrations are reflected in CSF concentrations. They suggest that a significant blood-CSF barrier exists for PRL and that PRL may enter the the CSF selectively via the ventricles.     

Vascular access ports for chronic serial infusion and blood sampling in New Zealand white rabbits.

Although rabbit ear vessels are readily accessible, the veins can collapse and thrombose after multiple venipunctures, and the artery may undergo vasospasm when repeatedly catheterized. Twenty-two male and female New Zealand White rabbits were cannulated with the catheter tip located in the jugular vein. The mean life of the port was noted to be approximately 3.5 months, with ranges of 3 days to 10 months. With proper maintenance and care, vascular access ports are a useful alternative to multiple venipuncture for long-term studies, thereby sparing marginal and central vessels and minimizing stress to both animals and investigators.     

A protective thermoplast splint for the forearm and hand in nonhuman primates

A custom-made thermoplastic splint was developed for the protection of the upper extremity after experimental surgery. It was used in 39 cases for a duration of 12-79 days. Complications were minimal and transient. The cast was easy to make, in one piece and inexpensive. Frequent removal for wound inspection was simple. This splint provides a good immobilization and protection of the arm and hand in the nonhuman primate.     

Investigation of the human Rh blood group system in nonhuman primates and other species with serologic and Southern blot analysis

To investigate the evolution of the Rh blood-group system in anthropoid apes, New and Old World monkeys, and nonprimate animals, serologic typing of erythrocytes from these species with antibodies specific for the human Rh blood-group antigens was performed. In addition, genomic DNA from these animals was analyzed on Southern blots with a human Rh-specific cDNA.Consistent with earlier reports, serologic results showed that gorilla and chimpanzee erythrocytes had epitopes recognized by human Rh D and c antisera, and gibbon erythrocytes were recognized by the c antisera. Surprisingly, some Old and New World monkeys also expressed a Rh c epitope on their erythrocytes. No erythrocytes from the nonprimate animals reacted specifically with any of the human Rh antisera.Southern blot analysis with a human Rh-specific cDNA probe detected Rh-related sequences in anthropoid apes, all New and Old World monkeys, and in most nonprimate animals tested. Although some Rh-related restriction fragments were conserved across species lines in primates, the Rh locus was more polymorphic in chimpanzees and gorillas than in humans. In addition, restriction fragments segregating with the presence of the D antigen in humans were present in the primate species that expressed the D antigen.     

Hypervitaminosis A in experimental nonhuman primates: evidence,causes, and the road to recovery

One of the great underlying assumptions made by all scientists utilizing primate models for their research is that the optimal nutritional status and health of the animals in use has been achieved. That is, no nutrient deficiency or excess has compromised their health in any detectable way. To meet this assumption, we rely on the National Research Council's (NRC's) nutritional recommendations for nonhuman primates to provide accurate guidance for proper dietary formulations. We also rely on feed manufacturers to follow these guidelines. With that in mind, the purpose of this commentary is to discuss three related points that we believe have significant ramifications for the health and well being of captive primates as well as for their effective use in biomedical research. First, our laboratory has shown that most experimental primates are likely in a state of hypervitaminosis A. Second, it is apparent that many primate diets are providing vitamin A at levels higher than the NRC's recommendation. Third, the recommendation itself is based on inadequate information about nutrient needs and is likely too high, especially when compared with human requirements. Am. J. Primatol. 71:813–816, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Renin angiotensin aldosterone axis, including aldosterone binding globulin and blood pressure in three species of nonhuman primates

Variables of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis with inclusion of protein binding to specific plasma globulin (ABG), plasma cortisol, and the blood pressure (BP) were measured in 24 chimpanzees, 4 gorillas, and 16 cynomolgus monkeys. ABG activity was readily detected in plasma from the primates. In chimpanzees and gorillas, all the variables under baseline conditions were similar to those in humans. In cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis), both the ABG binding capacity for aldosterone and the diastolic or systolic BP were significantly higher (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.01 respectively) than in chimpanzees and gorillas.     

Contributions of direct and indirect alloresponses to chronic rejection of kidney allografts in nonhuman primates

The relative contribution of direct and indirect allorecognition pathways to chronic rejection of allogeneic organ transplants in primates remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated T and B cell alloresponses in cynomolgus monkeys that had received combined kidney/bone marrow allografts and myeloablative immunosuppressive treatments. We measured donor-specific direct and indirect T cell responses and alloantibody production in monkeys (n = 5) that did not reject their transplant acutely but developed chronic humoral rejection (CHR) and in tolerant recipients (n = 4) that never displayed signs of CHR. All CHR recipients exhibited high levels of anti-donor Abs and mounted potent direct T cell alloresponses in vitro. Such direct alloreactivity could be detected for more than 1 y after transplantation. In contrast, only two of five monkeys with CHR had a detectable indirect alloresponse. No indirect alloresponse by T cells and no alloantibody responses were found in any of the tolerant monkeys. Only one of four tolerant monkeys displayed a direct T cell alloresponse. These observations indicate that direct T cell alloresponses can be sustained for prolonged periods posttransplantation and result in alloantibody production and chronic rejection of kidney transplants, even in the absence of detectable indirect alloreactivity.     

A model for assessing cognitive impairment after fractionated whole-brain irradiation in nonhuman primates

To investigate the effect of fractionated whole-brain irradiation on nonhuman primates, 6-9-year-old male rhesus monkeys were irradiated with 40 Gy delivered as two 5-Gy fractions/week for 4 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed 5 days/week for 4 months prior to fractionated whole-brain irradiation and for 11 months after irradiation using a Delayed-Match-to-Sample (DMS) task at both low and high cognitive loads. Local rates of cerebral glucose metabolism were measured prior to and 9 months after irradiation using [(18)F]-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography. Low cognitive load trials did not reveal a significant reduction in performance until 7 months after irradiation; performance then declined progressively. In high cognitive load trials, the initial impairment was observed ～1 month after irradiation. This was followed by a transient recovery period over the next 1-2 months, after which performance declined progressively through 11 months after irradiation. Nine months after irradiation, glucose uptake during the DMS task was decreased in the cuneate and prefrontal cortex and was increased in the cerebellum and thalamus compared with the levels prior to irradiation. Results from this pilot study suggest that the radiation-induced changes in cognition and brain metabolism observed in rhesus monkeys may be similar to those observed in brain tumor patients receiving brain irradiation.     

Individual differences in temperament and behavioral management practices for nonhuman primates

Effective behavioral management plans are tailored to unique behavioral patterns of each individual species. However, even within a species behavioral needs of individuals can vary. Factors such as age, sex, and temperament can affect behavioral needs of individuals. While some of these factors, such as age and sex, are taken into account, other factors, such as an individual's temperament, are rarely specifically provided for in behavioral management plans. However, temperament may affect how animals respond to socialization, positive reinforcement training and other forms of enrichment. This review will examine how individual differences in temperament might affect, or be affected by, behavioral management practices for captive primates. Measuring temperament may help us predict outcome of social introductions. It can also predict which animals may be difficult to train using traditional methods. Further, knowledge of temperament may be able to help identify individuals at risk for development of behavioral problems. Taken together, understanding individual differences in temperament of captive primates can help guide behavioral management decisions.     

A sampling procedure for quantifying mites in soybeans

To control phytophagous mites on soybean crops in an economically viable way, it is necessary to quantify the occurrence of the mites on the leaflets. Estimating the number of mites cm(-2) on leaflets is more difficult because of their irregular distribution on the leaflet surface. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the count-area/leaflet and the number of soybean leaflets to quantify the mites. One hundred infested plants were randomly collected. One leaflet was removed from each plant and divided into 32 sections (1.0 cm(2) per section), arranged in four columns and eight rows, to count the mites (adults, nymphs and eggs). The ideal count-area size per leaflet (Xo) was estimated by the maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation method for each of the 100 leaflets. For a count-area of Xo size, we obtained the number of mites cm(-2) per leaflet and, using the bootstrap resampling method, we estimated the point and interval averages as well as the sample size for a pre-established error. We suggest that the determination of the evaluated area size on each soybean leaflet (20 cm(2) in this case) and the bootstrap resampling estimate of the appropriate number of leaflets (12 in this case) for a bootstrap confidence interval of four mites (adults + nymphs) cm(-2) is sufficient to standardize the sampling-procedures for quantifying mites on soybean leaflets.     

Basicranial flexion,relative brain size,and facial kyphosis in nonhuman primates

Numerous hypotheses explaining interspecific differences in the degree of basicranial flexion have been presented. Several authors have argued that an increase in relative brain size results in a spatial packing problem that is resolved by flexing the basicranium. Others attribute differences in the degree of basicranial flexion to different postural behaviors, suggesting that more orthograde animals require a ventrally flexed pre-sella basicranium in order to maintain the eyes in a correct forward-facing orientation. Less specific claims are made for a relationship between the degree of basicranial flexion and facial orientation. In order to evaluate these hypotheses, the degree of basicranial flexion (cranial base angle), palate orientation, and orbital axis orientation were measured from lateral radiographs of 68 primate species and combined with linear and volumetric measures as well as data on the size of the neocortex and telencephalon. Bivariate correlation and partial correlation analyses at several taxonomic levels revealed that, within haplorhines, the cranial base angle decreases with increasing neurocranial volume relative to basicranial length and is positively correlated with angles of facial kyphosis and orbital axis orientation. Strepsirhines show no significant correlations between the cranial base angle and any of the variables examined. It is argued that prior orbital approximation in the ancestral haplorhine integrated the medial orbital walls and pre-sella basicranium into a single structural network such that changes in the orientation of one necessarily affect the other. Gould's (“Ontogeny and Phylogeny.” Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1977) hypothesis, that the highly flexed basicranium of Homo may be due to a combination of a large brain and a relatively short basicranium, is corroborated. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.