Canonical discriminant analysis for hematological and serum biochemical changes during pregnancy period in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciurea)

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from non-pregnant, pregnant and post-partum squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciurea) were analyzed by canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality). All animals were of wild origin and had been maintained under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N.I.H., Japan. Months were standardized by the day of parturition. The calculated arithmetic means and standard deviations were listed for each item of measurement performed. Items detected statistically significant difference (p less than 0.01) between months were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), albumin concentration (ALB), blood urea nitrogen concentration (BUN), total cholesterol concentration (T-CHO), triglyceride concentration (TG), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium concentration (Ca). Results of canonical discriminant analysis showed that the value of the first canonical variate (Z1) decreased from the early period of pregnancy to the middle period, and that the second canonical variate (Z2) decreased from the middle period of pregnancy to the end of pregnancy. The meaning of their changes were discussed.     

Discriminant analyses for pregnancy-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from 45 non-pregnant and 142 pregnant cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were analyzed by discriminant analyses. All animals used had been reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N. I. H., Japan. The examination items were as follows: red blood cell count(RBC), hematocrit value(Ht), hemoglobin concentration(Hb), mean corpuscular volume(MCV), white blood cell count(WBC), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TCHO), free cholesterol (FCHO), triglyceride (TG), and albumin-globulin ratio (A/G). The pregnant animals were divided into four groups according to their gestation ages (Group I: 1-40 days; II: 41-80 days; III: 81-120 days; and IV: more than 121 days). During pregnancy period (Groups II, III and IV), significant decrease of TP, ALB, TCHO, FCHO and TG was observed. RBC, Ht and Hb decreased in the last of the four periods of pregnancy (Group IV). Discrimination was possible between each of these four pregnant groups and the non-pregnant group on the basis of the Mahalanobis' generalized distance. To clarify the relationship among groups, canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality) was carried out. As a result, the non-pregnant group and the pregnant I group could be clearly discriminated from the other pregnant groups (II, III, and IV) by the first canonical variate. Judging from the relative eigenvector value of each variable for the first canonical variate, the effective discriminant variables were RBC, Ht, Hb, MCV, TP and A/G.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Age-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cats]

Nineteen hematological and serum biochemical values were analyzed for 91 healthy cats of both sexes (aged 1 to 48 months) that were bred and reared in our laboratory. Age-related changes were found for many parameters. Red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), Mean corpuscular constants, GPT, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) initially were low but increased then stabilized. White blood cell counts (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), total bilirubin (TBil), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU), and triglyceride (TG) initially were high, but decreased then stabilized. No age-related changes were found for GOT, blood urea nitrogen, or calcium. Of the parameters that changed with age, the mean corpuscular constants, GPT, GLU, and TG became stabilized during the first 3 to 4 months of life, but others (RBC, Hb, Ht, TP, ALB) became stabilized after 9 to 11 months, during which period body weight reached a plateau. Some parameters (WBC, ALP, TG, Pi) showed change up to 18 months of age. These results suggest that cats 9 to 11 months old can be regarded as adults; but for some parameters, cats aged 18 months, or older, are better regarded as adults. Sex-related differences in the values for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and WBC that were found after 11 months of age were higher in females. ALB was higher in males.     

Color vision pigment frequencies in wild tamarins (Saguinus spp.)

The adaptive importance of polymorphic color vision found in many New World and some prosimian primates has been discussed for many years. Polymorphism is probably maintained in part through a heterozygote advantage for trichromatic females, as such individuals are observed to have greater foraging success when selecting ripe fruits against a background of forest leaves. However, recent work also suggests there are some situations in which dichromatic individuals may have an advantage, and that variation in color vision among individuals possessing different alleles may also be significant. Alleles that confer a selective advantage to individuals are expected to occur at a higher frequency in populations than those that do not. Therefore, analyzing the frequencies of color vision alleles in wild populations can add to our understanding of the selective advantages of some color vision phenotypes over others. With this aim, we used molecular techniques to determine the frequencies of color vision alleles in 12 wild tamarin groups representing three species of the genus Saguinus. Our results show that allele frequencies are not equal, possibly reflecting different selective regimes operating on different color vision phenotypes.     

Red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus): Hematologic reference values and hemopathologic responses

Hematologic reference values have been established for captive adult red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) by carrying out full blood counts and fibrinogen estimations on 25 clinically normal animals. The only significant sex difference detected was in the reticulocyte count which was higher in females than in males. The reference values were used to identify abnormal changes in the blood of nine clinical cases. Hypochromic anemia, neutrophilia, and raised fibrinogen levels were found in animals with self-inflicted injuries, dermatitis, and ileocecal intussusception. Target cells and jaundiced plasma were noted in a case of yersiniosis. Two animals in which generalized muscle wasting was the main abnormal clinical sign were severely anemic, and in one of these cases a significant number of Heinz bodies was present. The findings in these two animals were compared with those in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with possible wasting marmoset syndrome.     

Developmental changes in food transfers in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

We investigated the development of food transfer and independent feeding in cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) families. We studied the relationship between infant-directed vocalizations and food transfers on the development of independent feeding in infants. We experimentally tested ten infants (eight twins and two singletons) three times a week for 17 weeks from before weaning through 20 weeks. Food transfers and vocalizations made during tests were recorded and analyzed to determine (1) the role of vocalizations (C- and D- chirps and D-chirp series) in food acquisition, (2) the relationship between food transfers and individual food acquisition, and (3) whether, owing to energetic costs of nursing and carrying twins, food is transferred to twins sooner than to singletons. Infants were more successful in acquiring food via begging when adults produced repeated vocalizations than when adults did not vocalize. Adults emitted more food-related vocalizations in rapid series when in the presence of infants, whereas during feeding in the absence of infants only single unit vocalizations were produced. Begging occurred frequently. Changes over infant age were not significant when all infants were included in analysis. However, when twin data were analyzed alone, begging success changed significantly over months, with successful begging peaking in month 3 (week 12). Begging success rate did not differ between twins and singletons, although twins fed independently sooner and at a higher rate than did singletons.     

Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus oedipus): Hematologic reference values and hemopathologic responses

Hematologic reference values have been established for captive adult cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus oedipus) by carrying out full blood counts and fibrinogen estimation on 43 clinically normal animals. Females were shown to have significantly lower hemoglobin levels, red cell counts and packed cell volumes, and higher reticulocyte counts than males. The reference values were used to identify abnormal changes in the blood of 13 clinical cases. Marked neutrophilia was found in animals with localized bacterial infections, and a degenerative left shift was recorded in an individual with streptococcal septicemia. Three cases of unexplained progressive muscle wasting showed Heinz body anemia and abnormal white cell changes. These hematologic responses have been compared where possible with those recorded in other species of Callithricidae.     

Normal serum biochemical and hematological values of the Sulawesi macaques

Sulawesi macaque (SM) species are currently of interest to primatologists for genetic and behavioral studies world wide. However, there are no published reference hematological and serum biochemical profile values for several of the seven SM species. Twenty-five clinically healthy, outdoor housed, ketamine sedated Macaca tonkeana and Macaca maurus were serially sampled (two to four times) over a 16-month period (N = 68). Normal ranges were defined to include two standard deviations and 2.5–97.5 percentile. Significant differences in single sample date comparisons (P < 0.05) of species (serum Ca, MCHC), age (BUN, BUN/creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus), gender (total protein, RBC, hemoglobin, HCT) and pregnancy (phosphorus and neutrophil count) groups were found. This normative data facilitates clinical evaluation of SM species and allows comparison to other macaque species.     

Molecular phylogenetics of large-bodied tamarins, Saguinus spp. (Primates, Platyrrhini)

With 33 recognized taxa, the tamarins, Saguinus spp., constitute the most diverse genus of New World monkeys (Platyrrhini), and are found almost exclusively within the Amazon basin. This diversity can be subdivided into three main morphological groups, based primarily on pelage characteristics, although there is also an ecologically important division between the small- and large-bodied forms (adult body weight ± 300 g vs. > 450 g, respectively). In the present study, the phylogenetic relationships among the large-bodied forms were analysed using the sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial rRNA16S gene, from which 58 informative sites were identified. The analysis revealed the existence of four main lineages, three of which coincided with geographical and/or morphological patterns. However, Saguinus leucopus formed a highly distinct clade, contradicting expectations based on its morphology and distribution, but corroborating a previous study of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (ND1) gene. Whereas genetic differences between some closely related species were relatively small (< 1%), that observed between the two specimens of S. imperator was twice higher (± 2%), indicating the possible presence of distinct species within this taxon. Previous molecular clock analysis suggested that the earliest radiation event of the large-bodied tamarins occurred sometime in the lower Miocene, whereas the most recent events, such as the division of the closely related S. midas and S. niger would have occurred during the Pleistocene. Most of these events would thus have taken place before the formation of the present-day river system, which now constitutes a considerable barrier to gene flow among many populations.     

Food-sharing in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

Food-sharing behaviour was observed in 9 captive families of cotton-top tamarins (range 4-14 individuals per group), during meals of fresh fruit. Food was transferred to infants by their parents and older sibs in response to begging, and was also offered to them without prior solicitation. Older, mature, reproductively suppressed individuals shared more than young immature monkeys. Infants in larger families received more food than those in smaller ones, though individuals in smaller families shared more. Transfer to infants increased to a maximum at 12 weeks of age and then declined gradually. At one year of age they no longer received food from others. Food sharing by older siblings is a form of helping behaviour which may increase their inclusive fitness, and benefit parents, both directly, by reducing the costs they incur in rearing young, and indirectly, by increasing the amount of food available to infants.     

Congenital anomalies in two neonatal tamarins (Saguinus oedipus and Saguinus fuscicollis)

Congenital anomalies were seen at necropsy of two neonatal tamarins. The defects included achondroplastic-like dwarfism, polydactyly and syndactyly in a Saguinus oedipus, and scoliosis and uterus didelphys in a S. fuscicollis. Both infants were the offspring of incestuous matings between twin siblings.     

Features of female reproductive senescence in tamarins (Saguinus spp.), a New World primate.

Cyclical changes in concentration of plasma progesterone, urinary oestrone-conjugates and urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) were compared in young and older cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and saddle-backed tamarins (S. fuscicollis). A group of six young adult tamarin females (4-5 years of age) was sampled over eight periods of 6-8 weeks and six older (14-20 years of age) females were sampled over thirteen periods. There was hormonal evidence of ovulation in all of the sampling periods for young females; in five of thirteen periods, older females displayed no evidence of ovulation. Of the six older females, two were anovulatory in one sampling period, while one female displayed no evidence of ovulation in any of three sampling periods. Generally, females over 17 years of age either did not ovulate or displayed abnormally long periods of moderate concentrations of progesterone and oestrone conjugates. Basal concentrations of LH differed in individuals, but were not always higher in older females. In contrast to patterns of reproductive senescence in other primates, older, anovulatory tamarins displayed moderate concentrations of urinary oestrone conjugates (5-50 micrograms/mg creatinine) and plasma progesterone (8-19 ng/ml), both of which are hormones of probable luteal origin in these species. This result suggests continued production of steroids by the luteal cells of the prominent interstitial gland in reproductively senescent tamarins. This suggestion was reinforced by histological examination of the ovaries of four older, anovulatory females; few primary follicles were found. Three females had no normal antral follicles, but all females had large luteal masses. The presence of functional luteal cells in the older ovaries, which do not experience regular follicular development, may distinguish ovarian ageing in New World primates from that of Old World primates.     

Trichobezoars in two saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis)

Two captive-born Saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) died unexpectedly in the primate colony at the Peruvian Primatological Project. At necropsy, a firm, mobile, oblong, obscure mass was discovered in the stomach of each. They were removed and determined to be trichobezoars.     

Age-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) bred and reared using the indoor individually-caged system

Blood samples were collected from 1000 or more apparently healthy cynomolgus monkeys of different ages. All the monkeys had been bred and reared under uniform environmental conditions at the Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, NIH, Japan. Biochemical and hematological data were determined with these samples. The calculated arithmetic means and standard deviations were listed for each item of measurement performed (Tables 3, 4 and 5). The correlation between the obtained value and the age was analyzed using a statistical significance level of 0.1% (Table 6). It was revealed that hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, alubuminglobulin ratio and triglyceride concentration increased with age, whereas red blood cell count and serum alkaline phosphatase activity decreased with age in both sexes.     

Multivariate analysis of hematological and serum biochemical values in female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged less than a year

Hematological and serum biochemical data obtained from 91 laboratory-bred cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged 11 to 362 days were analyzed by the discriminant analysis. All animals used had been bred and reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N. I. H., Japan. The examination items were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cell count (WBC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT), total protein concentration (TP), albumin concentration (ALB), albumin-globulin ratio (A/G), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose concentration (GLU), total cholesterol concentration (TCHO), free cholesterol concentration (FCHO), triglyceride concentration (TG), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium concentration (Ca). The animals were divided into four groups (A: Suckling infants, less than 176 days old. B, C, D: Weanlings and juveniles, 121 to 220 days old, 221 to 280 days old, and 281 to 362 days old, respectively). Discrimination was possible among these four groups on the basis of the Mahalanobis' generalized distance. Regarding the canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality), discrimination was possible. The suckling infant group could be discriminated from the juvenile groups by the first canonical variate. Concerning the juvenile groups, age was highly correlated to the value of the second canonical variate.2+ Judging from an approximate relative eigenvector value for the second canonical variate, the effective discriminant variables were WBC, TP, ALB, A/G, FCHO, TG, and ALP. It can be concluded that these eight parameters are important and useful for monitoring the physiologicals conditions of growing juvenile monkeys.     

Noise-induced vocal modulation in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

The Lombard effect-an increase in vocalization amplitude in response to an increase in background noise-is observed in a wide variety of animals. We investigated this basic form of vocal control in the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) by measuring the amplitude of a contact call, the combination long call (CLC), while simultaneously varying the background noise level. All subjects showed a significant increase in call amplitude and syllable duration in response to an increase in background noise amplitude. Together with prior results, this study shows that tamarins have greater vocal control in the context of auditory feedback perturbation than previously suspected.     

Parental failure in captive cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus Oedipus).

Several New World monkey species experience high rates of infant mortality in captivity, and parental failure in the form of infant neglect and abuse is often regarded as one of the leading causes of this problem. We explored a large archival database to assess environmental, familial, and biological variables identified as significant for parental success in previous studies of captive tamarins, through several generations and across several dozen pedigrees. Using a stepwise multiple regression analysis we developed a model including the fewest variables able to identify statistically significant predictors of infant outcome. We found that seven independent variables could predict infant outcome in the colony. The most important appeared to be the presence of helpers with whom parents could share infant carrying. Mother's experience and litter size were two other variables that contributed to a significant extent to explaining parental failure. Moreover, the model showed that there is a measurable contribution to infant outcome due to the health status of both parents. Finally, we found a distinct role for mothers and fathers, and that parental failure follows different patterns for abuse and rejection.     

Discriminant analysis of hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) bred and reared under the indoor individually-caged conditions

The data on hematological and serum biochemical properties of laboratory-bred cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at different ages were analyzed by discriminant analysis. All the animals had been bred and reared under uniform environmental conditions at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, N.I.H., Japan. The items used were as follows: red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cell count (WBC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT), total protein concentration (TP), albumin concentration (ALB), albumin-globulin ratio (A/G), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose concentration (GLU), total cholesterol concentration (TCHO), free cholesterol concentration (FCHO), triglyceride concentration (TG) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP). In total, 1086 animals in 10 age groups were examined. Data analyses were done with respect to the difference of sex. Discrimination was possible by Mahalanobis' generalized distance between centroids of groups. In canonical discriminant analysis (discriminant analysis with reduction of dimensionality), age was highly correlated to the value of the first canonical variate. From the approximate relative value of the eigenvector of the first canonical variate, the most discriminant variables are WBC, TP, ALB, A/G, TCHO, FCHO, TG, and ALP. It can be concluded that periodic measurement of these 8 parameters is necessary and sufficient to monitor the physiological conditions of growing monkeys.