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The effects of ketamine anesthesia on both hematological and serum biochemical variables were investigated in 19 male and 15 female cynomolgus monkeys. Blood samples were obtained from the cephalic vein within 30 minutes of an intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg). Ketamine anesthesia caused a reduction in leukocyte counts and a significant reduction in lymphocytes percentages. Ketamine anesthesia also increased the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK), but reduced the serum concentrations of glucose, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium. The alterations of hematological and serum biochemical values will be discussed. These alterations should be considered when designing studies for and interpreting data from cynomolgus monkeys.

Indicators of transport stress were investigated in blood parameters of five male cynomolgus monkeys obtained from abroad. They underwent air and ground travel-related stress in transport cages for a 15-hour transit time. On arrival, hematological parameters of white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit values were within the limits of reference range, indicating that these parameters were not typical changes derived from transport stress loading. An increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio with a marked increase in neutrophils and a decrease in lymphocytes was observed on arrival, and the increased N/L ratio returned approximately to the normal level 1 week after arrival. The serum cortisol level markedly increased on the day of arrival and it returned to normal 1 week after arrival. These findings indicate that the transport process was stressful for animals, showing increases in N/L ratio as well as cortisol level. Thus, it is possible that an increase in N/L ratio may be utilized as an indirect indicator of transport stress in newly acquired cynomolgus monkeys, as it has the similar pattern of change in cortisol with an increased cortisol level on the day of arrival.