Normal C-reactive protein values for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Primate Research

Background:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a widely used biomarker in human medicine to indicate infections and inflammation.
• CRP is an acute-phase protein whose levels rise in response to infection, trauma, or inflammation.
• Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) serve as a valuable animal model for evaluating therapeutic drugs for human populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels in a healthy chimpanzee population.
• To provide reference values for CRP in chimpanzees to aid in health assessments.
• To determine the utility of CRP as a diagnostic tool for monitoring animal health in research settings.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from a cohort of healthy adult chimpanzees.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured using a validated assay.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine the mean, standard deviation, and reference range for CRP levels.

Main Results:

• The study established a normal reference range for C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels in healthy chimpanzees.
• Results provide critical data for interpreting CRP fluctuations in chimpanzee studies.
• This data is essential for assessing the impact of experimental interventions on animal health.

Conclusions:

• Normal CRP values are essential for accurate interpretation of CRP levels in chimpanzee research.
• CRP can serve as a valuable diagnostic marker for monitoring health and inflammation in chimpanzees.
• Establishing these benchmarks supports the ethical use and scientific validity of chimpanzees in drug development studies.