Seasonal Adaption of Laboratory-Maintained Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Abstract

This study shows that female Saimiri sciureus acclimated to a stable laboratory environment show a seasonal ovulatory response to a regime of exogenous hormones. This response is minimal during periods of high humidity, highest when humidity is lowest and is probably correlated with changes, rather than absolute levels of humidity. Monkeys require at least 9 months to acclimate to the laboratory environment.

Ovulation Induction during the Anovulatory Season in Saimiri sciureus

“…Harrison and Dukelow [6] found slight favoring of the left ovary in the same population of S. sciureus used in the present study (51.4% ovulations on the left and 48.6% on the right). However, Harrison and Dukelow's data was derived from total observations and made no distinc tion between observations made at various times following HCG in jection.…”

“…All were of the Brazilian type (export point of origin: Leticia, Columbia) purchased from Tarpon Zoo, Inc., Tarpon Springs, Fla. These animals were from the same group studied by Harrison and Dukelow [6], The monkeys were maintained in a large gang cage. This cage contained numerous perches to allow for greater mobility and social inter action, while multiple feeding and watering stations were provided to allow easy access to food and water.…”

Temperate Season Outdoor Housing of Saimiri sciureus in the Northern United States

“…We have previously reported a seasonal response of S. sciureus [8] to a standardized ovulation induction regime [3] which requires an increased level of follicle-stimulating hor mone (FSH) during the summer months of July, August and September [12]. Half of the females were subjected to monthly regimes to induce ovulation, the rest of the animals served as controls.…”

“…Half of the females were subjected to monthly regimes to induce ovulation, the rest of the animals served as controls. The results of these studies on ovulation and vaginal cytology are reported elsewhere [11], Detection of ovulation and diagnosis of pregnancy was done laparoscopically as we have described earlier [5,6,8].…”

The influence of some ecological factors on drill monkeys Mandrillus leucophaeus (Cuvier) - in Limbe wildlife center (LWC), Southwest Region, Cameroon

“…Environmental factors including weather changes and photoperiod have been suggested as proximate factors influencing primate behavior. The role played by these environmental factors on the group behavior of social drill monkeys in captivity is not fully understood (Harrison and Dukelow, 1973).…”