Sex differences in compatibility of pair-housed adult longtailed macaques

This research was designed to evaluate the effects of same-sex pair housing on the psychological well-being of adult wild-born longtailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). We studied behavioral compatibility and stress as measured by urinary cortisol excretion in 15 pairs of each sex. Before they were housed together, the pairs were categorized by noncontact pairedpreference testing as preferred, nonpreferred, or randomly assigned partners. Every aspect of data analysis indicated that the success of pairing was strongly related to gender. Whereas 100% of female pairs were compatible, only eight of the 15 male pairs were still together after two weeks, and only five (33%) showed a degree of compatibility resembling that of females. The psychological well-being of virtually all females seemed to be improved during the physical contact paired-housing conditions; they spent more than one-third of the day engaged in social grooming. Paired adult males had much lower interaction rates than adult females. On average, males were initially somewhat stressed by the introduction to a cagemate as indicated by increased urinary cortisol excretion. The noncontact preference testing procedure was no more predictive of pair success than random assignment. For males, the presence of fighting combined with the absence of grooming during the first 90 min opportunity for physical contact (“introduction”) was associated with pair incompatibility, but not to a statistically significant extent. For research protocols permitting social grouping of this species, the social contact requirement of the USDA Animal Welfare Rules usually can be met for adult females by pair housing. For males, pairing with other adult males often is unsuccessful; by our estimates, at least 20% of males cannot be pair-housed with other males. These sex differences in response to same-sex adults are consistent with the known socioecology of macaques. Further research is necessary to determine whether adult males have a lower need for social contact than females, or whether their needs are better met by other types of social contact. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Use of a radioreceptorassay (RRA) for human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (hLH/CG) for detection of early pregnancy and estimation of time of ovulation in macaques

A radioreceptorassay (RRA) for macaque luteinizing hormone (LH)/chorionic gonadotropin (CG) was adapted from the clinical RRA for human LH/CG, Biocept-G?, for the purposes of detection of pregnancy prior to day 20 of gestation and for estimation of the time of ovulation in macaques. The 90-min assay procedure was simple, accurate, and reliable. Seventy-five rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and 20 crab-eating monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were tested for the presence of CG in the serum on estimated days 17–20 of pregnancy. Of a total of 160 tests, four false negative and 0 false positive tests were obtained, for an accuracy of 97.5%. The preovulatory LH peak was detected in 19 rhesus monkeys by semiquantitative RRA of LH/CG. Ovulation was confirmed in these 19 animals by the presence of a fresh corpus luteum at laparotomy 2–10 days after ovulation, collection of an embryo, pregnancy, or subsequent cycle history. The short, simple assay procedure and the low inter-and intraassay coefficients of variation (7.3 and 3.7%, respectively) allow use of this assay in an economical, predictive, as well as retrospective, capacity for estimation of the time of ovulation in rhesus monkeys. The sensitivity, reliability, species nonspecificity, simplicity, and rapidity of performance of this RRA for LH/CG are features which add up to a useful new management tool for breeding macaques for research purposes.     

Brief report: Crocodile predation on a crab-eating macaque in Borneo

An immature crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), which was sitting on the river bank near the Orangutan Research and Conservation Project base camp in the Tanjung Puting Reserve, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia, was seized by a crocodile which rapidly emerged from the water and then resubmerged with the monkey in its jaws. As crocodile populations are in a decline throughout Borneo, crocodile predation on crab-eating macaques was probably more frequent in the past. This predation may have influenced development of some behaviors with an antipredator function in M. fascicularis.     

1株来自丛生盔形珊瑚的球托霉鉴定及生理学特性研究

在丛生盔形珊瑚中分离得到1株形态特殊的共附生真菌XWC14-13,对其鉴定并进行生理学特性研究,为该类珊瑚共附生真菌的进一步研究提供参考。通过观察菌株XWC14-13在CA和PDA培养基的生长特性及个体特征,结合r DNA ITS1-ITS4基因序列的系统发育分析,将其鉴定为卵形孢球托霉(Gongronella butleri)。该菌株菌丝宽度为3.62~8.09μm,有膈膜,不产厚垣孢子,孢子囊大小为(5.15~7.57)μm×(23.53~25.74)μm,孢囊孢子大小为(2.02~3.03)μm×(1.52~2.01)μm。其生长温度、酸碱度和盐度的适应性研究结果表明,该菌最适生长条件为温度30℃,pH 8~8.5,盐度1%,具有一定的耐盐性及酸碱耐受性,属兼性海洋真菌。     

A comparison of the behavior of Macaca fascicularis and Macaca mulatta in relation to the menstrual cycle

Observations on oppositely sexed pairs of M. fascicularis and M. mulatta revealed certain differences. M. fascicularis showed single-mount copulations, higher potency, less grooming activity, and milder but more frequent aggressive exchanges than the rhesus monkey. These differences might be due to the lower dominance gradient between the sexes and less sexual dimorphism in M. fascicularis than in M. mulatta. There were changes in the sexual, grooming, and aggressive interaction in relation to the menstrual cycle, indicating the suitability of M. fascicularis for hormone-behavior studies. Comparison of data from 30 and 60 min tests showed that important behavioral changes did not become apparent unless animals were given enough time to interact.     

Adoption success under single-cage conditions by cynomolgus macaque mothers (Macaca fascicularis)

Retrospective data were studied to determine the success of experimental adoption by 122 cynomolgus macaques kept in individual cages at the Tsukuba Primate Center. The four types of adoption procedures included (1) singletons adopted after weaning (SAW)—21 cases; (2) singletons adopted after stillbirth (SAS)—20 cases; (3) singletons adopted after forced separation of the biological infant during the nursing period (SAF)—4 cases; and (4) adoption of a second “twin” while still nursing a biological infant (TA)—77 cases. Adoption was defined as successful if the mother nursed the foster infants for at least 7 days. Success rates (percent) were 47.6 for SAW, 75 for SAS, 100 for SAF, and 74 for TA. Success was affected by the postbirth stage of foster mothers at adoption but not by foster infant age or sex.     

Occurrence of spontaneous diabetes mellitus in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) and impaired glucose tolerance in its descendants

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in a cynomolgus monkey. Clinical and pathological features, such as abnormal glucose tolerance, loss of insulin response, or degeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, resemble human noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Two descendants of the monkey have developed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin response. Genetic factors seem involved in the appearance of carbohydrate intolerance in this family group of monkeys.     

Movement characteristics of ejaculated sperm from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) analyzed by manual and automated computerized image analysis

Sperm motility is an important indicator of male reproductive function. An automated computerized system was used to measure the movement characteristics of cynomolgus monkey sperm. Swimming velocities were in good agreement with data derived from tracking sperm heads manually with a digitizer, but sperm counting by the system was erroneous. In some ejaculates, there were two subpopulations of sperm with different curvilinear velocities, linearities of swim-paths, and lateral movements of the heads.     

Hematological and serum biochemical values in free-ranging Macaca fascicularis of mauritius: Possible diabetes mellitus and correlation with nutrition

Obtained values are presented from a study of blood biochemistry and hematology of free-ranging crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Mauritius. Normal values are generally comparable to those previously obtained from laboratory populations of this species. Abnormal values included elevated serum glucose and triglycerides in certain individuals that suggested glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus. A high-carbohydrate diet consisting of large proportions of sugar cane and molasses may have unmasked a genetic predisposition to diabetes in these animals.     

The macaque model for in vitro fertilization: superovulation techniques and ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration

Prior methods for macaque in vitro fertilization (IVF) have incorporated laparoscopy and/or laparotomy as the primary means for oocyte recovery. Sonographic techniques, as used with human IVF, have been applied to the macaque, both for monitoring the response to hyperstimulation and for follicular aspiration prior to ovulation. Pergonal (hMG) was administered for 7 or 8 days beginning on cycle day 1 or 2 or for 6 days beginning on cycle day 3. This was followed by Pregnyl (hCG) prior to follicular aspiration. The quality of oocytes recovered from the 6-day treatment group was considerably better than those treated for greater than or equal to 7 days. It was concluded that ultrasound can provide a reliable means for documenting the response to ovarian stimulation and the successful transabdominal aspiration of multiple follicles.