Polygyny in a free-ranging group of buffy-tufted-ear marmosets, Callithrix aurita.
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After feeding marmosets different lipid supplements for 6 months, the distribution of phospholipid classes and the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) were determined in their cardiac membranes. Supplementing the diet with linoleic-acid-rich sunflower seed oil raised the level of 18:2,n-6 in both PC and PE, but did not change the level significantly in DPG. When 18:2,n-6 was increased, the level of arachidonic acid (20:4,n-6) was significantly decreased in PC and PE. No arachidonic acid was present in DPG. Supplementing the diet with mutton fat did not markedly increase the level of saturated fats, nor did it markedly reduce the level of arachidonic acid in any phospholipid component. No dietary treatment altered the distribution of the major phospholipid classes.
Marmosets can tolerate an ascorbic acid (AA) deficiency for several weeks without clinical symptoms. After being fed an AA-free diet for 3 months, nonspecific deficiency symptoms became obvious. Different dietary levels of AA resulted in corresponding serum ascorbate levels. The kidney threshold of AA in marmosets is comparable to that in humans. When the minimal AA requirement is defined as the amount that is necessary to maintain a serum AA level above the kidney threshold, then about 20 mg AA/kg body weight is needed. This intake was achieved in our trial with a diet containing 500 ppm AA. Thus, the AA requirement of marmosets is severalfold higher than the AA requirement of humans.
Radioimmunoassay of progesterone in marmoset plasma has been used to determine ovarian cycle length. Total cycle length was 30.1 +/- 3.8 days (mean +/- SD, n = 30, range 24-41 days, median 29.5 days). The pre-ovulatory (follicular) phase, during which progesterone levels were below 10 ng/ml, lasted for 8.8 +/- 3.7 days (mean +/- SD, n = 30, range 3-20 days, median 8.5 days). The post-ovulatory (luteal) phase, during which progesterone levels were greater than 10 ng/ml, lasted for 21.5 +/- 2.2 days (mean +/- SD, n = 30, range 14-29 days, median 21.5 days). Total cycle length was almost twice that recorded in an earlier study. The reasons for this difference are discussed.
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The tooth eruption patterns of two large groups of young living marmosets were compared. The eruption sequence was essentially similar and was consistent with previous studies based on smaller numbers of dead animals. At nine mo, however, one group was more advanced than the other, although their craniofacial growth patterns were similar.
Linear and angular measurements of young marmosets taken at three-month intervals from a series of cephalograms are presented. They show that linear craniofacial development was largely complete by six months of age, subsequent angular changes being mainly related to dental development. No sexual dimorphism was apparent, and there was substantial homogeneity in results for animals of the same age. Thus, marmosets, with their low cost, ease of handling, and rapid maturation, may provide a useful animal model for craniofacial research.
1. GR95030X, a potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, was administered daily to marmosets by gavage. In a Maximum Repeatable Dose (MRD) study, doses of up to 30 mg kg-1 day-1 were administered for 49 days. In a chronic study, animals received dosages equivalent to 0, 1, 2.5, 7.5 and 20 mg kg-1 day-1 for 204 or 205 days. Some animals were maintained without treatment for a recovery period of 29 or 30 days. 2. Clinical signs included poor coat condition, weakness with impaired coordination, lethargy and other behavioural changes. There was also alimentary disturbance, and some deaths occurred at doses of 20 mg kg-1 day-1 and above. 3. Adverse effects upon body weight were seen although some recovery was apparent after the cessation of treatment. 4. Serum cholesterol concentrations were reduced. Very large increases in serum ALT, AST and CK activities were recorded with CK-MM isoenzymes accounting for 80% or more of the total CK enzyme activity. 5. Treatment was associated with muscle fibre atrophy and a sarcolemmal response with little evidence of regeneration. Histological examination revealed vascular changes, glial proliferation and cell death in the brain, with no consistent distribution. Alveolar capillary congestion and alveolar proteinosis indicated that there may have been a reduction in cardiac function. 6. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have evident potential to cause myopathy in marmosets. This is believed to be the first report of such an effect.
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Common marmosets, a New World primate, respond to a modest energy restriction with early termination of the pregnancy. Within female marmosets, comparisons (n = 6) between a normal, term pregnancy and a restriction-induced aborted pregnancy were used to establish cortisol, free estradiol, and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) as urinary markers of placental and fetal function under these two conditions. Abortions occurred 11-47 d after a 25% energy reduction during midpregnancy for all females. Cortisol concentrations were significantly lower in the last 2 wk for the restricted pregnancy than for matched samples in the normal term pregnancy. Both estradiol and estrone were examined in free and conjugated forms. Only free estradiol showed a significant reduction in mean concentrations during midpregnancy for the restricted females compared with their normal, term pregnancies. Mean CG levels from each female served as an independent marker of placental differentiation and function. CG levels were significantly lower during the 2 wk before abortion compared with matched days from a normal, term pregnancy. These data provide evidence that estradiol and cortisol are useful markers of placental and fetal viability in the common marmoset, and their reduced concentration following energy restriction suggests that restriction is not acting as a classical stressor by increasing cortisol and, subsequently, estradiol concentration.
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Starting with 4 pairs of marmosets, 204 young were successfully reared during 6 years. They were kept in family groups of 2- 10. Litter size varied from 1-4; singletons (2%), twins (35%), triplets (55%), and quadruplets (8%). The mean annual increase of weaned young was 3.24 per pair. The median interbirth interval was 154 days. Of 46 pairs of marmosets, 8 failed to produce young. Approximately 11% of young born were stillborn and a further 32% of all young born died within 3 weeks; perinatal mortality is largely a result of the failure of parents to rear more than 2 young. In only 2 of 68 triplet births did the parents rear the young unaided. 53% of young born were males but differential mortality reduced the final sex ratio for live young to 50-5% males. Females did not accept and rear the young after caesarian section. The linear regression of the growth curve for 5-17 months (where y = weight in grams and x = months) could be expressed as y = 16.6x + 163.6. The data form 4 marmoset colonies are compared and the relative efficiency of breeding methods discussed.
A cross-sectional study of craniofacial growth in young marmosets was performed. Selected linear craniofacial measurements were obtained from groups of 5 animals of each sex at 3 monthly intervals from birth to 1 year. These data provide a baseline for comparison with other colonies and in the assessment of teratogens on craniofacial development.
Reference intervals for some clinical chemistry parameters in the marmoset were calculated. The effects of age (250-300 days compared with 500-550 days) and sex on the values found was investigated. Alkaline phosphatase levels decreased with age, young males having higher plasma levels than young females, but no sex differences were discernible for older animals. Levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and sorbitol dehydrogenase were higher in older males than in younger females. Higher plasma iron levels were found in the males with increasing age. Age and sex effects for protein and albumin were interactive and further interpretation was therefore difficult. No significant age or sex effects were seen for cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase or bilirubin.
The onset of spermatogenesis in relation to age, bodyweight and testes weight in 105 marmosets used in safety studies has been reviewed. The histological recognition of adverse effects on spermatogenesis is an important part of these studies and this survey indicates that male marmosets should be at least 50 weeks and preferably 60 weeks of age if an assessment of all stages of spermatogenesis is required for safety evaluation.
Facial abscesses in a colony of common marmosets were found to be caused by abscessation of an upper canine tooth root. Trauma to the upper canine, resulting in exposure of the pulp cavity, was thought to be the mode of infection. Radiography was the most useful diagnostic aid in establishing the nature and extent of the lesion. Antibiotic therapy alone was inadequate, and provision of drainage by extracting the tooth, in conjunction with antibiotics, proved the most effective treatment.
The effect of haemolysis on the levels of commonly analysed plasma constituents was investigated in the common marmoset. Results were divided into a) low levels of extra haemolysis (less than 2 g/l plasma haemoglobin) and b) high levels of extra haemolysis (greater than 2 g/l plasma haemoglobin). Mean changes in plasma constituent levels were examined and the correlation with increased haemolysis measured. Large changes in malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were found at low levels of haemolysis. With higher levels of haemolysis there were statistically significant changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase. The significance of these findings is considered in relation to the interpretation of changes of plasma constituents as indicators of tissue/organ damage.