A survey of the pathology of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) derived from a marmoset breeding unit

Studies on the developmental cycle of Trichospirura leptostoma (Nematoda: Thelaziidae). Experimental infection of the intermediate hosts Blatella germanica and Supella longipalpa and the definitive host Callithrix jacchus and development in the intermediate hosts

The cockroaches Blatella germanica and Supella longipalpa can act as intermediate hosts of Trichospirura leptostoma as demonstrated by experimental infestation. The parasite developed from the embryonated egg into the infective larval stage (L3) in cockroaches within 5-6 weeks. After experimental infection of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), eggs were first found in faecal samples (prepatency) at 8-9 weeks post-infection. Patency lasts about 2 years. Despite the presence of living adult worms in the marmosets' pancreas, no additional eggs were observed in their faeces after the patent period.

The effect of dietary change on in vitro erythrocyte haemolysis, skin lesions and alopecia in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

1. The effect of dietary change on common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) exhibiting high in vitro erythrocyte haemolysis, skin lesions and alopecia was investigated. 2. The experimental diet was low in lipid, high in vitamin E and was devoid of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. 3. There were significant increases in the concentrations of plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) (P less than 0.05), all-trans retinol (vitamin A) (P less than 0.001) and total lipid (P less than 0.025), and a reduction in fibrinogen (P less than 0.02) concentration and neutrophil count (P less than 0.02). 4. Moreover, the mean in vitro erythrocyte haemolysis declined from an initial value of 64% to less than 2%, and there was a regression of skin lesions and alopecia with complete fur regrowth. 5. The amelioration of the conditions appear to be due to high circulating vitamin E which provided protection against oxidative stress, and the correction of membrane n-6:n-3 balance.

N-3 and N-6 phosphoglyceride fatty acids in relation to in vitro erythrocyte haemolysis induced by hydrogen peroxide in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

1. Hydrogen peroxide-induced haemolysis (HPIH) was studied in the red blood cells of the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) in relation to the composition of the membrane fatty acids. HPIH (%) was surprisingly high (mean 41% +/- 34; median 33.4%) and significantly different (P less than 0.001) from the corresponding value in healthy human subjects (mean 0.98% +/- 0.6; median 1.3%). 2. It was negatively correlated with 18:2n-6 (r = -0.76, P less than 0.001), 18:2n-6/20:4n-6 (r = -0.70, P less than 0.005) and 18:2n-6/22:6n-3 (r = -0.44, P less than 0.025) in the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides of the erythrocytes. 3. A shift in the n-6/n-3 balance in favour of the n-3 in the fatty acid composition of the membrane may have predisposed the red blood cells to haemolysis. 4. An increase in 22:6n-3, and a decrease of 20:4n-6 and 18:2n-6, may have been the result of feeding a diet containing fish products rich in long chain n-3 fatty acids.

Tissue specific differences in the fatty acid composition of the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

1. The possible relationship between the fatty acid composition of the adipose tissue of the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) and its dietary lipid intake was examined after a long-term feeding trial. 2. Only the proportions of stearic and linoleic acid in the adipose tissue were similar to those in the diet. The proportions of all other saturated and unsaturated fatty acid components were significantly different thus greatly reducing the potential value of this relationship in the marmoset. 3. The phospholipid fatty acid profiles of cardiac and skeletal muscle, aortae, kidney, liver, lung and brain were also compared to those of the plasma, platelets or red blood cells. 4. With the exception of the liver where the fatty acid profile is similar to that of the plasma, no clear relationships were found between the fatty acid profiles of these tissues and the components of the blood. 5. The fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle was very similar to that of the cardiac muscle of the marmoset, suggesting that muscle biopsy might be useful as an index of cardiac muscle composition.

Adenocarcinoma of the large bowel and colitis in captive cotton-top tamarins Saguinus o. oedipus

The gross and microscopic appearance of large bowel adenocarcinoma in two young adult, captive-born cotton-top tamarins is described. A retrospective examination of sections of colons from other animals that had died in the colony revealed a high incidence of chronic colitis. The adenocarcinomas, which resembled those reported from colonies of this species in the U.S.A., are thought to be the first seen in Great Britain.