The progression and evaluation of hetatologic and serum biochemical values in the chimpanzee

Summary statistics of various hematologic and serum biochemical measures are presented for a colony of 74 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Covariance analysis of longitudinal values revealed a progression of some measures with maturity. Equations for evaluating these measures as they relate to the health of individual colony members and new additions to the colony were formulated. From these equations, confidence bounds (95%), which can be regarded as normative ranges, were established for each of the measures. The literature on hematologic and serum biochemical values in the chimpanzee, especially as they pertain to the evaluation and progression of values, is reviewed.