Growth and development of infant M. arctoides fed a standardized diet

Area of Science:

• Primate developmental biology
• Comparative infant growth studies

Background:

• Understanding infant primate development is crucial for preclinical research.
• Macaca arctoides and Macaca mulatta are common models, but their early growth differs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the first-year growth trajectory of infant Macaca arctoides.
• To compare infant Macaca arctoides growth with that of infant Macaca mulatta.

Main Methods:

• Infant Macaca arctoides were raised on a standardized milk diet under controlled conditions.
• Key growth parameters including body weight, length, and head circumference were measured.
• Hematologic status and serum proteins were monitored throughout the first year.

Main Results:

• Male Macaca arctoides infants exhibited significantly larger body dimensions (weight, length, head circumference) than females.
• Infant Macaca arctoides had greater body weight and head circumference but shorter body length compared to infant Macaca mulatta.
• Dietary intake was comparable between sexes relative to body weight.

Conclusions:

• Sexual dimorphism in body size is evident early in Macaca arctoides, unlike in Macaca mulatta.
• Macaca arctoides infants display distinct growth patterns compared to Macaca mulatta, with implications for model selection.