Normal serum biochemical and hematological values of the Sulawesi macaques

Hematological and biochemical parameters for Chinese rhesus macaque

Rhesus macaque is an important animal model in biomedical research, especially human disease, developmental, translational, and pre-clinical research. Blood physiological and biochemical parameters are important markers for physiology, pathology, and toxicology research. However, these parameters have not been systematically reported for Chinese rhesus macaques. To characterize the reference for these parameters, this study collected 1805 Chinese rhesus macaques living in Southwestern China. A total of 24 blood physiological indexes and 27 biochemical parameters were determined. Sex and age were found to affect these parameters. In conclusion, a comprehensive and systematic reference of hematological and biochemical parameters for Chinese rhesus macaque was established in this work on the basis of a large cohort. Such reference will benefit biomedical research employing rhesus macaques as animal models.

Effect of different anesthetic mixtures-ketamine-xylazine, ketamine-acepromazine and tiletamine-zolazepam-on the physiological and blood biochemistry parameters of male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) at different ages

BACKGROUND

Anesthetic agents are commonly utilized in the handling of non-human primates for prevent the stress caused in physical exploration or physical restrain. For this reason, the objective of this work was to describe the effect of age and dissociative anesthetics (ketamine and tiletamine), and their combinations with acepromazine, xylazine and zolazepam, on the physiological and blood biochemical parameters in Macaca mulatta.

METHODS

Eighty male Macaca mulatta were divided into four experimental groups depending on the anesthetic mixture applied. Each group of 20 males was divided into five sub-groups according to age. Physiological parameters were recorded every 5 minutes during a 30-minute period. A blood sample was drawn to analyze blood biochemistry.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the physiological parameters between the ketamine-acepromazine and ketamine-xylazine groups compared to the control group. The analysis of blood biochemistry found significant differences by age and by anesthetic mixture among all groups.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to standardizing this animal model in biological research.

Proteome profiling reveals gender differences in the composition of human serum

Proteome analysis using human serum is a technological advancement that will enable the discovery of novel biomarkers and biomarker patterns of various human diseases. Although proteome analysis using serum has potential in disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and evaluation of pharmacotherapies, this technology is still in its infancy. Thus, we sought to develop an advanced method of conducting proteome analysis on human serum. In this study, we report the development of the semi-comprehensive protein analytical technique, which involves the systematic use of iTRAQ labeling, HPLC, nano-LC and MS. We compared the composition of the serum proteome in males and females using this technique and detected gender-based differences in serum protein composition. This technology will enable the generation of databases that may ultimately lead to the discovery of specific biomarkers or biomarker patterns of various diseases.

Normal hematological indices, blood chemistry and histology and ultrastructure of pancreatic islets in the wild Indian bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata radiata)

The present study is aimed at determining some haematological and biochemical parameters in the wild Indian bonnet monkeys as also the microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of their pancreatic islets. Adult wild Indian bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata radiata) of both sexes weighing between 2.5 and 4 kg were used in these experiments. Their platelet, reticulocyte and total leukocyte counts and the blood concentrations of hemoglobin and plasma proteins and the serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase and calcium are similar to the values reported for M. mulatta. Plasma glucose is lower when compared with reported values of M. mulatta and M. fascicularis. Insulin levels are comparable with those of M. mulatta and M. nigra. Histology of islets is similar to that of humans. Ovoid cell collections of islet cells are scattered throughout the pancreas. Ultrastructure of A, B and D cells is similar to humans. These findings suggest that this relatively underutilized macaques may be a suitable model for biomedical research.

Anogenital distance measured at weaning is correlated with measures of blood chemistry and behaviors in 450-day-old female mice

In female mice, anogenital distance (AGD), measured at weaning, provides an estimate of uterine exposure to testosterone from flanking male mouse littermates. A variant of the anogenital distance index (AGDI) that uses the residual value of AGD after accounting for the effect of weight by regression (AGDWTRES) was measured at weaning in F(2) female mice from a C57BL/6J x DBA2/J cross. AGDWTRES was used to examine the relationship between intrauterine environment and blood chemistry variables and activity-related behaviors when the females were 450 days old. Longer AGDWTRES values correlated with lower levels of calcium, cholesterol, phosphorus, iron, and protein, which is opposite to the expected direction, based on underlying sex differences for blood chemistry. A positive correlation was found between AGDWTRES and two activity-related measures (the number of rears in a test of exploration, and the number of sectors of a rod that are entered by the mouse). These findings suggest that in utero proximity to males, as indexed by AGDWTRES, may have effects on fundamental aspects of blood chemistry and behavior that extend well into mouse middle age, and could play an important role in health.