Numerical chromosome disorders in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)--comparison between two captive colonies

Chromosomal analyses were performed for marmosets from two colonies - Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ) and Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC). Chlorine-based disinfectants are used in DPZ; no chemical disinfection is applied in BPRC.

The rates of chromosomal non-disjunction, polyploidy and endoreduplication were investigated after G-banding.

For DPZ monkeys, the mean rates of non-disjunction were 7.6% for bone marrow and 11.3% for lymphocytes. The polyploidy level was 2.5% in bone marrow and 0.8% in blood. Frequency of endoreduplication in bone marrow and in leucocytes was 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively. For BPRC, the rate of non-disjunction in leucocytes (1.3%) was significantly lower than that for DPZ; the polyploidy rate (0.2%) in blood was lower than that in DPZ; endoreduplication was not observed.

The levels of chromosomal disorders are elevated for DPZ colony. We suggest that the increased rate of chromosomal disorders in DPZ marmosets can be related to the chemical disinfection of their environment.