Breeding of macaques and chimpanzees at the Dutch Primate centre
conference paper
One of the most important research projects of the Dutch Primate Centre is the study of the immunogenetics of tissue antigens of rhesus monkeys and chimpanzees. These species are used as optimal models for pre-clinical research, primarily in transplantation biology. For the immunogenetic work, large families are needed and therefore breeding colonies of both species had to be established at the Centre*. The breeding programme for rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was started in 1965, for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) around 1970. The principal method of breeding macaques, the so-called rotating gang breeding, has been described previously (Goosen, 1972b; Balner, 1975). Since the supply of rhesus monkeys from the countries of origin has been seriously curtailed in the last few years, the development of more economical and, if possible, more efficient breeding systems has become an important issue.
In this report, information will be provided about the various systems currently used for the breeding of rhesus monkeys at the Rijswijk Centre. Attention will be paid also to the assays used for early pregnancy detection by in vitro and in vivo methods. Furthermore, a brief account will be given of the raising of chimpanzees at the Centre. It will be shown that the reduction of infant mortality during the first year of life, by the use of an isolation unit in the nursery, has led to a very satisfactory production record for this relatively small but very valuable breeding colony.
In this report, information will be provided about the various systems currently used for the breeding of rhesus monkeys at the Rijswijk Centre. Attention will be paid also to the assays used for early pregnancy detection by in vitro and in vivo methods. Furthermore, a brief account will be given of the raising of chimpanzees at the Centre. It will be shown that the reduction of infant mortality during the first year of life, by the use of an isolation unit in the nursery, has led to a very satisfactory production record for this relatively small but very valuable breeding colony.
TNO Identifier
355681
Publisher
Academic Press
Source title
Recent advances in primatology
Editor(s)
Chivers, D.J.
Lane-Petter, W.
Lane-Petter, W.
Place of publication
New York
Pages
279-287
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