Serological survey for SV5, measles and herpes simplex infections in newly-imported cynomolgus monkeys

Hematological and serum biochemical values in pregnant and postpartum females of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

The hematological and serum biochemical values of a total of 18 pregnant female squirrel monkeys were determined during the pre- and postpartum period. Pregnancy was determined by abdominal palpation in adult females cohabiting with robust males. The mean body weight of the pregnant females gradually increased toward parturition and dramatically decreased at parturition due to delivery of the infant monkey. The red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels diminished toward parturition and then increased to their normal levels by week 6 after delivery. The Wintrobe constant, MCHC, did not fluctuate, but MCH and MCV values increased in late pregnancy and the early nursing periods. The mean white blood cell count varied between 65.8 and 87.3 (x 10(2)/mm3) during the experimental periods. The mean serum total cholesterol concentration and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity were lower in the pregnant group during the mid- and late gestation stage than in nonpregnant and nursing females. The mean serum total protein and albumin values were lower in pregnant females than in the controls. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased in late pregnancy and the nursing periods. Since the pregnant females examined gave birth to healthy newborn monkeys and nursed them normally, the hematological and serum biochemical measurements should represent the physiological values for squirrel monkeys during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The placental transfer of IgG in the cynomolgus monkey

The placental transfer of IgG from the mother to her fetus was investigated with colony-bred cynomolgus monkeys. Very low levels of IgG were detected in sera of 84 days old fetus, indicating that transplacental transfer of IgG had started by this fetal age. Afterwards, gradual increase in the IgG level continued till 140 days of fetal age. A marked increase in the level was noted after 140 days of fetal age, during the last 4 weeks of full gestation term. Fetal anti-measles antibody increased in a pattern similar to that in the IgG level. The IgG level and anti-measles and anti-streptolysin O antibody titers of newborns never exceeded those of their mothers.

Age-related immunoglobulin levels in cynomolgus monkeys

Serum immunoglobulin levels were measured with 144 domestically-bred cynomolgus monkeys, aged 0 day to 18 years. IgG level of the newborn just after birth was somewhat lower than that of their mother monkeys, continuing to decrease for 3 postnatal months. Thereafter, the level began to increase gradually till 4 to 5 years when an adult level was attained. IgA was detected on the day of birth in half of the animals and started to increase soon after birth, reaching an adult level in 5 to 6 years. A relatively low level of IgM was detected in all animals at birth. The increase of IgM level continued till 5 years of age. These patterns of immunoglobulin levels related to age are very similar to those of rhesus monkeys and human.

Absence of antibodies against SV5, measles and herpes simplex in indoor colony-bred cynomolgus monkeys

One hundred and eighty-one cynomolgus monkeys born and raised at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science (TPC) were serologically examined for the presence of antibodies against simian virus 5, measles virus and herpes simplex virus. All of them were virtually free from infections with these viruses, whereas wild-originated breeders kept at TPC were highly positive for these antibodies. These results can be regarded as demonstrating that an indoor breeding system such as TPC's is useful and valuable for producing nonhuman primates of good quality being completely free from those viral infections.