Primate Husbandry Research Articles

Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Within Sanctuary-Based Primate Husbandry

Abstract Animal-care workers are at risk of compassion fatigue (i.e., experiencing burnout and secondary traumatic stress [STS]) which has been shown to adversely impact employee wellbeing, organizational productivity, and caregiving quality in other caregiving fields. The current cross-cultural analysis explored compassion fatigue among 46 primate sanctuary workers across three continents who completed the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale and Trauma-Informed Organizational Culture (TIOC) survey, and answered questions about their work. Higher compassion satisfaction (CS) and lower compassion fatigue were observed in primate care workers compared to previously published animal-care worker samples. CS negatively correlated with burnout whereas burnout positively correlated with STS. Workplace support positively correlated with CS while supervisory and peer support negatively correlated with burnout. Lastly, African-residing respondents had higher burnout and STS than did European- and North American-residing respondents and more often mentioned conservation concerns and recovery and release of animals as important elements of their work.

Non-Human Primate Husbandry and Impact on Non-Human Primates Health: Outcomes From an IQ DruSafe/3RS Industrial Benchmark Survey.

The presence of health issues (diarrhea, poor body condition) in non-human primates can impact animal welfare, confound toxicity study data, and lead to animal exclusion from studies. A working group cosponsored by DruSafe and 3Rs Translational and Predictive Sciences Leadership Groups of the IQ Consortium conducted a survey to benchmark quarantine, pre-study screening, husbandry, and veterinary care practices and their impact on NHP health. Nineteen companies participated in the survey providing separate responses for studies conducted in-house and at Contract Research Organizations from 3 regions (North America (NA), Europe and Asia) for an aggregate of 33 responses. A majority of responding companies conducted studies at North America CROs (39%) or in-house (36%) using primarily Chinese (33%) or Cambodian (27%) and to a lesser extent Vietnam (18%) or Mauritian (15%) origin NHPs. Forty-Five percent of responses had pre-study health issues (fecal abnormalities, etc.) on ≥ 1 studies with the highest incidence observed in Vietnam origin NHPs (80%). The survey suggested variable pre-screening and quarantine practices across facilities. Husbandry practices including behavioral assessments, environmental enrichment and consistent diets were associated with a lower incidence of health issues. The survey also benchmarked approaches used to diagnose and manage abnormal feces in NHPs and has provided strategies to minimize impact on NHP health. The survey highlighted opportunities for harmonizing screening criteria across industry and for improving tracking and sharing of health screening results, leading to further refinement of NHP veterinary care practices, higher quality studies, and reduced NHP use.

Development of an Occupational Risk Assessment Tool for Laboratory Animal Facilities.

Laboratory animal facilities aim to provide excellence in animal care and welfare and support scientific research. Critical to these goals is to ensure a safe work environment for personnel comprising veterinary and animal care, laboratory research, and maintenance staff. Thus, performing occupational risk assessments allows for evaluation of risks from identified hazards associated with a variety of tasks ongoing in laboratory animal facilities. Herein, we present the development of an occupational risk assessment tool purposed to capture the dynamics of work performed in laboratory animal facilities, calculate and prioritize identified risks associated with procedures and processes, and inform and evaluate risk mitigations. We also discuss a risk assessment for refining sharps use in nonhuman primate husbandry and care to demonstrate the utility of this tool to improve occupational safety in our animal facility. This tool and framework evolve into a holistic occupational risk management system that identifies, evaluates, and mitigates occupational risks; determines risk acceptability; consistently ensures communication and consultation with frontline personnel, stakeholders, senior leadership, and subject matter experts in biosafety, science, and animal care and welfare; and continuously strives to improve and enhance the operations of laboratory animal facilities.

Preface: Franz-Josef Kaup and the development of the Pathology Unit at the German Primate Center.

This special issue about selected diseases of nonhuman primates was created in honor of Franz-Josef Kaup, who worked as a primate pathologist at the German Primate Center (DPZ) for 25 years. In 1992, Franz-Josef Kaup started his career at the DPZ as head of the working group Experimental Pathology. Prior to that he worked as a research assistant in the division Electron Microscopy at the Institute of Pathology of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover. He was very experienced in the field of electron microscopy and used this expertise to establish a central electron microscopy laboratory at the DPZ. In the beginning, research of the working group Experimental Pathology was focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory infections and was closely related to projects of the Department of Virology. At that time, experimental infections of rhesus macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and associated opportunistic infections became the main subject of his research. The contribution of Christiane Stahl-Hennig and coauthors about SIV-induced cardiovascular diseases reflects the still ongoing collaboration in this research field. After merging the Experimental Pathology and Primate Husbandry in 1996, Franz-Josef Kaup headed the newly created Department of Veterinary Medicine and Primate Husbandry. This department became the central service unit of the DPZ in 1999 and offered a broad spectrum of services in veterinary diagnostics, primate husbandry, and animal welfare, which was intensively used by many internal and external scientists. In 2001, Walter Bodemer joined the group and the scientific contents expanded with a new focus on the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Some important aspects of this era are summarized in the work of Walter Bodemer.

Training success in group-housed long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) is better explained by personality than by social rank

Using training to prepare laboratory animals for biomedical research is one important behavior management task. With increased knowledge about factors influencing training success, training programs may be optimized, resulting in a refinement of primate husbandry. Even when animals are trained under the same conditions there are individual differences in how they respond to training. The current paper focuses on two of the factors potentially influencing training success: social rank and personality. Five observers rated the personality and the social rank of 34 long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in an observer trait rating survey. Training success was measured in 22 of these individuals and from four of their shaping protocols; hand-feeding, target training, presenting hands and presenting feet. From the factor analysis four personality traits could be identified: ‘Emotionality’, ‘Activity’, ‘Sociability’, and ‘Tolerance’. A Multiple linear regressions with backward elimination showed that the personality trait ‘Activity’ was associated with training success (adj.R2=0.71, p<0.0005), and unexpectedly, social rank had less influence (adj.R2=0.30, p=0.005) on training success in group-housed long-tailed macaques. We propose that training success can be conceptualized as consisting of two components: access to the trainer and problem solving. In the case of personality, the two components combine to promote training success: curious animals gain access to trainers, and playful animals are good problem solvers; both these adjectives were present in the trait ‘Activity’. In contrast, with regards to rank, qualities that increase access to the trainer (dominance) and traits that promote problem solving (subordinance) counteract one another, potentially explaining why in this study, training was better explained by personality than by rank.We discuss the importance of successfully training different types of personalities in order for the selection of animals in biomedical research to remain random and non-biased, rather than excluding those that do not respond well to training.

From the working group &amp;quot;Experimental Pathology&amp;quot; to the department &amp;quot;Pathology Unit&amp;quot; – historical development in retrospect

Abstract. The Pathology Unit of the German Primate Center started as the working group of Experimental Pathology in 1992. This small group with one veterinary pathologist and a technician was founded based on an idea of Prof. Dr. Kuhn, who wanted to strengthen the pathology research activities and to establish a centralized electron microscopy laboratory. Later on, experimental pathology, veterinary services and primate husbandry were integrated as the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Primate Husbandry but subsequently again separated. Prof. Dr. Franz-Josef Kaup, the head of the previously integrated department, remained in his capacity as the leader of the different units. Over the years, the research activities have changed from SIV-associated pathology to other infectious diseases. Today, the main research focus is on the pathogenesis of orthopoxvirus infection, primate pathology, neglected tropical diseases and nonhuman primates as models for chronic respiratory diseases. This paper gives an overview of the historical development and aspects of research activities.

The German Primate Center – planning and realization of the institute

Abstract. It took almost 20 years from the first proposal for the foundation of a German primate centre to the final establishment of an institute for research on primates. Since 1964, the German science community had considered the idea of founding a national primate centre in the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) following existing models in the USA. In 1967, the project received a significant boost from the outbreak of the lethal Marburg virus infections, which was transmitted from African green monkeys to humans. However, a memorandum from Hans-Jürg Kuhn, at that time at the University of Frankfurt, facilitated a breakthrough in 1970. He conceived an interdisciplinary institute that would both conduct its own scientific research and be a service institute for other German institutions. After highly charged debates on a suitable location, the federal government decided on Göttingen, and in 1972 the University of Göttingen provided the necessary ground. With the certificate of incorporation in 1977, the federal government and the German state Lower Saxony appointed Professor Kuhn as the first scientific director. Based on his memorandum, a research and service institute was developed with several scientific departments associated with primate husbandry, and full operation began in 1984.

Genotyping of non-human primate models: perspectives and challenges for the implementation of the &amp;quot;three R's&amp;quot;

Abstract. Although non-human primates (NHPs) represent only a minor fraction of all animals used in biomedical research, there is a continuous effort to further reduce, refine and replace research with NHPs in accordance with the principles of the three R's. Most of the NHP model species are genetically highly diverse, and significant variation occurs among populations of different geographic origins, particularly in macaques. Since such differences can considerably affect the outcome of biomedical experiments, genotyping represents a promising tool to refine research approaches and to reduce the number of NHPs in biomedical research. Accordingly, the European Primate Network (EUPRIM-Net) developed an anonymous online survey to evaluate possibilities and potential hindrances for the application of genotyping in NHP research. On the one hand, our results point to the importance of genetic variation in NHPs and the need to consider the genetic background for future research approaches. On the other hand, our survey identified several hindrances and limiting factors for the application of genotyping and its incorporation in research, primate husbandry and breeding. We provide some fundamental recommendations on how to meet these challenges and how genotyping can be efficiently used to refine NHP research and to reduce the number of NHPs in biomedical research in the long term.

Primate aging in the mammalian scheme: the puzzle of extreme variation in brain aging.

At later ages, humans have high risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD) which may afflict up to 50% by 90 years. While prosimians and monkeys show more substantial changes, the great apes brains examined show mild neurodegenerative changes. Compared with rodents, primates develop and reproduce slowly and are long lived. The New World primates contain some of the shortest as well as some of the longest-lived monkey species, while the prosimians develop the most rapidly and are the shortest lived. Great apes have the largest brains, slowest development, and longest lives among the primates. All primates share some level of slowly progressive, age-related neurodegenerative changes. However, no species besides humans has yet shown regular drastic neuron loss or cognitive decline approaching clinical grade AD. Several primates accumulate extensive deposits of diffuse amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) but only a prosimian-the gray mouse lemur-regularly develops a tauopathy approaching the neurofibrillary tangles of AD. Compared with monkeys, nonhuman great apes display even milder brain-aging changes, a deeply puzzling observation. The genetic basis for these major species differences in brain aging remains obscure but does not involve the Aβ coding sequence which is identical in nonhuman primates and humans. While chimpanzees merit more study, we note the value of smaller, shorter-lived species such as marmosets and small lemurs for aging studies. A continuing concern for all aging studies employing primates is that relative to laboratory rodents, primate husbandry is in a relatively primitive state, and better husbandry to control infections and obesity is needed for brain aging research.

Locomotion and postural behaviour

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to provide a survey of the diversity of primate locomotor behaviour for people who are involved in research using laboratory primates. The main locomotor modes displayed by primates are introduced with reference to some general morphological adaptations. The relationships between locomotor behaviour and body size, habitat structure and behavioural context will be illustrated because these factors are important determinants of the evolutionary diversity of primate locomotor activities. They also induce the high individual plasticity of the locomotor behaviour for which primates are well known. The article also provides a short overview of the preferred locomotor activities in the various primate families. A more detailed description of locomotor preferences for some of the most common laboratory primates is included which also contains information about substrate preferences and daily locomotor activities which might useful for laboratory practice. Finally, practical implications for primate husbandry and cage design are provided emphasizing the positive impact of physical activity on health and psychological well-being of primates in captivity.

Guidelines for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in non‐human primates: recommendations of the European Primate Veterinary Association Working Group on Tuberculosis

Effective tuberculosis (TB) control requires accurate diagnostic methods but the tuberculin skin test has serious limitations. Both false-negative and false-positive reactions are common, resulting in the spread of the infection and devastating TB outbreaks. Results of questionnaire surveys concerning TB testing practices in primate housing facilities showed great differences in testing practices. Although there was some uniformity regarding the sites of application, the amounts of tuberculin used and the time intervals for retesting, a great deal of variety was revealed considering the types of tuberculin preparations, the interpretation of tests and the susceptibility of animals. Here, we summarize the most common practices as regards TB control and prevention for non-human primates, and attempt to establish a uniform guideline based upon our experience with primate husbandry and care programmes as well as recent developments in the literature. The present guideline represents a consensus recommendation intending to harmonize the existing protocols.

Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare

Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare

Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare

Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare

Enrichment devices for nonhuman primates.

There has been in recent years a substantial increase in the variety of enhancement devices available for nonhuman primates in captivity, and the task of properly outfitting a housing unit can be daunting. Researchers continue to investigate the specific impact and importance of environmental enrichment, but it is generally accepted that increasing the complexity of the environment for the mental and physical stimulation of nonhuman primates is beneficial to their health and contentment, and enrichment is now a standard component of primate husbandry.

Manipulating the affiliative interactions of group-housed rhesus macaques using positive reinforcement training techniques.

Social housing, whether continuous, intermittent, or partial contact, typically provides many captive primates with opportunities to express affiliative behaviors, important components of the species-typical behavioral repertoire. Positive reinforcement training techniques have been successfully employed to shape many behaviors important for achieving primate husbandry goals. The present study was conducted to determine whether positive reinforcement training techniques could also be employed to alter levels of affiliative interactions among group-housed rhesus macaques. Twenty-eight female rhesus were divided into high (n = 14) and low (n = 14) affiliators based on a median split of the amount of time they spent affiliating during the baseline phase of the study. During the subsequent training phase, half of the low affiliators (n = 7) were trained to increase their time spent affiliating, and half of the high affiliators (n = 7) were trained to decrease their time spent affiliating. Trained subjects were observed both during and outside of training sessions. Low affiliators significantly increased the amount of time they spent affiliating, but only during nontraining sessions. High affiliators on the other hand, significantly decreased the amount of time they spent affiliating, but only during training sessions. These data suggest that positive reinforcement techniques can be used to alter the affiliative behavior patterns of group-housed, female rhesus monkeys, although the two subgroups of subjects responded differently to the training process. Low affiliators changed their overall behavioral repertoire, while high affiliators responded to the reinforcement contingencies of training, altering their proximity patterns but not their overall behavior patterns. Thus, positive reinforcement training can be used not only as a means to promote species-typical or beneficial behavior patterns, but also as an important experimental manipulation to facilitate systematic analyses of the effects of psychosocial factors on behavior and potentially even immunology.