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Review
. 2017 Jan;79(1):1-14.
doi: 10.1002/ajp.22528. Epub 2016 Feb 5.

Laboratory rhesus macaque social housing and social changes: Implications for research

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Review

Laboratory rhesus macaque social housing and social changes: Implications for research

Darcy L Hannibal et al. Am J Primatol. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Macaque species, specifically rhesus (Macaca mulatta), are the most common nonhuman primates (NHPs) used in biomedical research due to their suitability as a model of high priority diseases (e.g., HIV, obesity, cognitive aging), cost effective breeding and housing compared to most other NHPs, and close evolutionary relationship to humans. With this close evolutionary relationship, however, is a shared adaptation for a socially stimulating environment, without which both their welfare and suitability as a research model are compromised. While outdoor social group housing provides the best approximation of a social environment that matches the macaque behavioral biology in the wild, this is not always possible at all facilities, where animals may be housed indoors in small groups, in pairs, or alone. Further, animals may experience many housing changes in their lifetime depending on project needs, changes in social status, management needs, or health concerns. Here, we review the evidence for the physiological and health effects of social housing changes and the potential impacts on research outcomes for studies using macaques, particularly rhesus. We situate our review in the context of increasing regulatory pressure for research facilities to both house NHPs socially and mitigate trauma from social aggression. To meet these regulatory requirements and further refine the macaque model for research, significant advances must be made in our understanding and management of rhesus macaque social housing, particularly pair-housing since it is the most common social housing configuration for macaques while on research projects. Because most NHPs are adapted for sociality, a social context is likely important for improving repeatability, reproducibility, and external validity of primate biomedical research. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22528, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: enrichment; heterogeneous environment; pairing; peer interaction.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Percent and count of total regulated animals used in 2014 for: A) animals used for teaching, testing, experimental, or research projects (left column), and; B) animals held for breeding, conditioning, or future use during the reporting period (right column). Data in each column is demarcated by USDA defined categories of regulated species used in research (excludes aquatic species, birds, rats, and mice). Data from the Annual Report of Animal Usage by Research Facilities, Fiscal Year 2013 [Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service 2014]. Figure footnote: It is important to note that the vast majority of animals used in research are “non-regulated” (e.g., rodents). Thus the percentage of nonhuman primates used in research is actually very small percentage of total number of animals used in research.

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