Preparing New World monkeys for laboratory research

• Published in: ILAR journal Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 307 - 315
• Main Authors: Tardif, S, Bales, K, Williams, L, Moeller, E.L, Abbott, D, Schultz-Darken, N, Mendoza, S, Mason, W, Bourgeois, S, Ruiz, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 2006
• Subjects: Acclimatization; anesthesia; animal behavior; animal handling; Animal Husbandry; animal use refinement; Animal Welfare; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Animals, Laboratory - physiology; Animals, Laboratory - psychology; Aotus (Cebidae); Callicebus; Callithrix; Callithrix - physiology; Callithrix - psychology; Callithrix jacchus; capture of animals; Cebidae; Cebidae - physiology; Cebidae - psychology; Handling (Psychology); Handling, Psychological; isoflurane; Laboratory Animal Science; laboratory animals; physiology; Platyrrhini; Platyrrhini - physiology; Platyrrhini - psychology; psychology; Saimiri; Saimiri - physiology; Saimiri - psychology; training (animals); Transportation; owl monkey; management; acclimation; husbandry; training; marmoset; titi monkey; squirrel monkey
• ISSN: 1084-2020; 1930-6180; 1930-6180
• DOI: 10.1093/ilar.47.4.307

New World monkeys represent an important but often poorly understood research resource. The relatively small size and low zoonotic risk of these animals make them appealing as research subjects in a number of areas. However, historic portrayal of many of these species as difficult to manage and handle is one of the factors that has limited their use. Basic guidelines are provided on management and handling approaches for the New World monkeys most commonly used in research: marmosets, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, and titi monkeys. Topics include transport and acclimation to a new facility, location changes within a facility, diet changes, removal from and return to social groups, capture and restraint, handling for anesthesia, postprocedural monitoring, and staff training.