Training and caring for primates.

Locomotor behavior and control in human and non-human primates: Comparisons with cats and dogs

Striatal volume differences between non-human and human primates

Do Non-Human Primates Really Represent Others' Beliefs?

Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Development of Social Behavior in Primates

The aim of my thesis was to investigate how reaching for visual targets placed in 3D space influences the coordinate frames and the kinematics in non-human and human primates. To this end, I conducted three studies. The first study was conducted on non-human primates to find the predominant reference frame of cells in a specific reach related area of the PPC (area PEc) while reaching towards targets placed at different depths and directions; we tested whether PEc reaching cells displayed hand- and/or body-centered coding of reach targets. We found that the majority of PEc neurons encoded targets in a mixed body/hand-centered reference frame. Our findings highlight a role for area PEc as intermediate node between the visually dominated area V6A and the somatosensory dominated area PE. The second study was conducted on healthy human subjects to find the reference frame used while reaching towards targets placed at different depths and directions. Our results revealed reach error patterns based on both eye- and space-centered coordinate systems: in depth more biased towards a space-centered representation and in direction mixed between space- and eye-centered representation. The third study was conducted on a patient with a parietal cortex lesion who showed optic ataxia symptoms. Optic ataxia patients show deficits in visuo-manual guidance especially when reaching to targets located in the periphery of the visual field. By manipulating gaze position and hand position of visual reaching targets, placed at different depth and directions, we investigated how reaching in peripheral and central viewing conditions influenced the trajectories and reach errors of the patient and controls. Our results suggest that the reaching inaccuracies observed, in particular in the configurations where the direction of gaze and reach differed, are due to a disruption of the online correction mechanism and that the PPC is involved in these automatic corrections.

The synthesis and secretion of the adrenal androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DS) is a phenomenon apparently unique to humans and nonhuman primates. It occurs at three life stages: in utero from the fetal zone (FZ) cells of the developing adrenal cortex, during adolescence with the onset of adrenarche and the development of the zona reticularis (ZR), and in ever decreasing amounts from the ZR with aging (adrenal senescence). Insufficient data exist to know if any single nonhuman primate exactly mirrors human adrenal androgen secretion through all three life stages, and detailed morphological, biochemical, and endocrinologic studies are required to do so. Androgen synthesis requires that cells express three key enzymes, 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase cytochrome P450 (P450c17), nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR), and cytochrome b5, and that they do not express 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). Cytochrome b5 has emerged as a particularly useful marker of androgen synthetic potential. Although a reliable index of the rate of adrenal androgen secretion, DS concentrations may not accurately reflect total adrenal androgen output because rates and routes of androgen metabolism may vary greatly among species. Based on the very limited available data, the most promising nonhuman primate models are marmosets for the human FZ, chimpanzees for human adrenarche, and macaques and baboons for mature ZR function that declines with senescence.

Cecilia Morgan and colleagues outline a two-stage nonhuman primate screening strategy for T cell-based HIV-1 vaccines.

Simple SummaryLittle information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP, zookeepers and free-living rats by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods. A high prevalence of the diarrhoea-causing protists Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. (but not Cryptosporidium spp.) was observed in captive NHP at the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre. NHP can harbour zoonotic genotypes of G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Indeed, strong evidence of the occurrence of Blastocystis zoonotic transmission between NHP and their handlers was provided, despite the use of personal protective equipment and the implementation of strict health and safety protocols. Free-living sympatric rats are infected by host-specific species/genotypes of the investigated protists and seem to play a limited role as source of infections to NHP or humans in this setting. The extent of these findings should be confirmed in similar epidemiological surveys targeting other captive NHP populations.Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP (n = 51), zookeepers (n = 19) and free-living rats (n = 64) by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods between 2018 and 2019. The presence of Leishmania spp. was also investigated in tissues from sympatric rats using PCR. Blastocystis sp. (45.1%), Entamoeba dispar (27.5%), Giardia duodenalis (21.6%), Balantioides coli (3.9%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2.0%) (but not Troglodytella spp.) were detected in NHP. Giardia duodenalis (10.5%) and Blastocystis sp. (10.5%) were identified in zookeepers, while Cryptosporidium spp. (45.3%), G. duodenalis (14.1%), and Blastocystis sp. (6.25%) (but not Leishmania spp.) were detected in rats. Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST8 and G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII were identified in NHP, and Blastocystis ST1 in zookeepers. Giardia duodenalis isolates failed to be genotyped in human samples. In rats, four Cryptosporidium (C. muris, C. ratti, and rat genotypes IV and V), one G. duodenalis (assemblage G), and three Blastocystis (ST4) genetic variants were detected. Our results indicate high exposure of NHP to zoonotic protist species. Zoonotic transmission of Blastocysts ST1 was highly suspected between captive NHP and zookeepers.

BackgroundThe nonhuman primate (NHP)-related injuries in rabies-enzootic countries is a public health problem of increasing importance. The aims of this work are to collect data concerning rabies transmission from NHPs to humans; to collate medical practices regarding rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in different countries, and to provide an evidence base to support the decision to apply rabies PEP in this context.MethodologyTo retrieve information, we conducted a literature search from 1960 to January 2013. All reports of rabies in NHPs and rabies transmission to humans by infected NHPs were included. Also included were studies of travelers seeking care for rabies PEP in various settings.Data collected by the French National Reference Centre for Rabies concerning NHPs submitted for rabies diagnosis in France and human rabies exposure to NHPs in travelers returning to France were analyzed for the periods 1999–2012 and 1994–2011, respectively.Principal findingsA total of 159 reports of rabies in NHPs have been retrieved from various sources in South America, Africa, and Asia, including 13 cases in animals imported to Europe and the US. 134 were laboratory confirmed cases. 25 cases of human rabies following NHP-related injuries were reported, including 20 from Brazil. Among more than 2000 international travelers from various settings, the proportion of injuries related to NHP exposures was about 31%. NHPs rank second, following dogs in most studies and first in studies conducted in travelers returning from Southeast Asia. In France, 15.6% of 1606 travelers seeking PEP for exposure to any animal were injured by monkeys.Conclusions/significanceAlthough less frequently reported in published literature than human rabies, confirmed rabies cases in NHPs occur. The occurrence of documented transmission of rabies from NHPs to human suggests that rabies PEP is indicated in patients injured by NHPs in rabies-enzootic countries.

Background: Endometriosis is a painful disorder in women where endometrium-like tissue exists outside of the uterine cavity. Progress on new therapies for the disorder is dependent on physiologically relevant models. Menstruation and development of spontaneous endometriosis only occur in women and Old World nonhuman primates making nonhuman primates the most suitable animals for study. Herein we review the use of nonhuman primates for studies on endometriosis. Objective: To describe the use of nonhuman primates for studies on endometriosis. Methods: We reviewed the literature comparing the use of primate models. Results: In practice, three types of “primate” models exist; 1) studies on monkeys with spontaneous endometriosis; 2) induction of endometriosis in disease-free animals; and, 3) the engraftment of primate tissue into immunodeficient rodents. The absence of tests to identify animals with the wellcharacterized disease greatly limits the viability of studies on spontaneous endometriosis in nonhuman primates. Despite this limitation, studies of spontaneous endometriosis have elucidated risk factors associated with the etiology and pathobiology of the disease. Induced endometriosis in the baboon and macaque currently represents the prototypic and most promising primate model, producing lesions that are phenotypically similar to endometriosis in women, with a well-controlled onset, and predictable pathogenesis. The strength of using induced endometriosis models in nonhuman primates lies in the ability to document the early disease process and the exact age of lesions in the animals. However, nonhuman primates are expensive and in short supply. Xenografts of primate tissue in immunodeficient mice also allow the study of the early disease process but long-term studies are a compromise because of the immunodeficient nature of the host animals. Studies of endometriosis in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques provides an additional benefit as these are the preferred primate models for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in many research institutes and the pharmaceutical industry. Conclusion: Due to the physiological similarities among primates, preclinical studies of endometriosis diagnostics and therapeutics conducted in nonhuman primate models are well-positioned to lead to new clinical applications. Keywords: Nonhuman primate, animal model, induced endometriosis, baboon macaque, xenograft models, pharmacokinetic.

Successful Isolation and Transplantation of Nonhuman Primate Islets Using a Novel Purified Enzyme Blend

SummaryThe neural responses that distinguish novel from familiar items in recognition memory tasks are remarkably fast in both humans and nonhuman primates. In humans, the earliest onsets of neural novelty effects emerge at about ∼150–200 ms after stimulus onset [1–5]. However, in recognition memory studies with nonhuman primates, novelty effects can arise at as early as 70–80 ms [6, 7]. Here, we address the possibility that this large species difference in onset latencies is caused experimentally by the necessity of using reward reinforcement to motivate the detection of novel or familiar items in nonhuman primates but not in humans. Via magnetoencephalography in humans, we show in two experiments that the onset of neural novelty signals is accelerated from ∼200 ms to ∼85 ms if correct recognition memory for either novel or familiar items is rewarded. Importantly, this acceleration is independent of whether the detection of the novel or the familiar scenes is rewarded. Furthermore, this early novelty effect contributed to memory retrieval because neural reward responses, which were contingent upon novelty detection, followed ∼100 ms later. Thus, under the contextual influence of reward motivation, behaviorally relevant novelty signals emerge much faster than previously held possible in humans.

Apart from numerous parallels, human beings have different evolutionary, physiological and biochemical features when compared to non-human primates. This has particular relevance to our nutrition patterns, stress (and the relevant coping mechanisms) and energy metabolism. These differences make a case for Homo sapiens to be a distinct species with unusual categories of diseases for which non-human primates may not supplement as true model organisms. The comparatively larger human brain proportionate size and consequently higher energy demands, bipedal locomotion (ensuing immature brain development at birth), unique craniofacial and dental structures with increased quality, availability and bioavailability of food, distinct stress biochemistry and endocrinology with disparate adrenal and thyroid sizes to other primates predispose us to many disorders not found in other non-human primates. One of the most important of these syndromes is diabetes type-1. Since we know that autoimmune diabetes does not occur in non-human primates we may, at the outset, think that a true physiological and biochemical model of this disease in them may have important shortcomings. This paper discusses relevant physiological differences between Homo sapiens and other non-human primates lending enough support to the view that non-human primates may not substantiate as diabetes models for research. This paper puts forth imperative arguments centered upon differences between humans and other non-human primates in the light of brain size, body composition, evolutionary development, stress biochemistry, and energy metabolism. Finally, the discussion suggests that relevant factors should be taken into consideration when studying diabetes in these animal models. JMS 2018;21(1):61-67

Abstract. Although non-human primates (NHPs) represent only a minor fraction of all animals used in biomedical research, there is a continuous effort to further reduce, refine and replace research with NHPs in accordance with the principles of the three R's. Most of the NHP model species are genetically highly diverse, and significant variation occurs among populations of different geographic origins, particularly in macaques. Since such differences can considerably affect the outcome of biomedical experiments, genotyping represents a promising tool to refine research approaches and to reduce the number of NHPs in biomedical research. Accordingly, the European Primate Network (EUPRIM-Net) developed an anonymous online survey to evaluate possibilities and potential hindrances for the application of genotyping in NHP research. On the one hand, our results point to the importance of genetic variation in NHPs and the need to consider the genetic background for future research approaches. On the other hand, our survey identified several hindrances and limiting factors for the application of genotyping and its incorporation in research, primate husbandry and breeding. We provide some fundamental recommendations on how to meet these challenges and how genotyping can be efficiently used to refine NHP research and to reduce the number of NHPs in biomedical research in the long term.

Many humans coexist with non-human primates (NHP), and as human populations have increased so have the pressures on natural habitats. For example, deforestation results in habitat loss and food scarcity for NHPs. In response, NHPs sometimes enter human habitats in search of food, which can result in negative interactions between humans and NHPs. This study focused on human-NHP interactions in three Grama Niladhari divisions in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. We used interviewer-administered structured questionnaires to collect data from 500 randomly selected informants. The majority stated that they could not obtain sufficient harvests from home gardens for their own consumption owing to crop damage and losses caused largely by NHPs and other wild animals. This has led many people to abandon home gardening. Toque Macaques caused the most damage to crops, followed by Wild Boars, porcupines, and Purple-faced Leaf Langurs. Damage was caused to coconuts, vegetables, bananas, and yams. NHPs also caused property damage, with Toque Macaques causing more damage than langurs. People commonly used firecrackers, catapults and air rifles, and wore wooden or plastic face masks, in attempts to control crop damage by NHPs, with little success. People are of the opinion that the NHPs should be relocated to other forested areas or sterilized to control their numbers. In conclusion, to address the issues pertaining to human-primate interactions in terms of conflict due to crop utilization of primates, an integrated management plan should be developed in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.