National chimpanzee breeding program: Primate research institute.

Area of Science:

• Primate reproductive biology
• Conservation genetics
• Animal behavior

Background:

• The Primate Research Institute (PRI) established a breeding colony for the National Chimpanzee Breeding and Research Program (NCBRP).
• Early efforts focused on maximizing breeding pairs and infant survival.
• Reducing fetal wastage and neonatal mortality were key objectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate programs aimed at reducing fetal wastage and neonatal mortality in a chimpanzee breeding colony.
• To assess the viability of achieving a self-sustaining chimpanzee population through improved breeding and infant care practices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum chorionic gonadotropin and ultrasound for early pregnancy diagnosis (prior to day 30).
• Implemented a minimum 18-month infant-mother bonding period when feasible.
• Modified maternal care protocols by isolating females two weeks pre-delivery to mitigate maternal abuse and manage premature births.

Main Results:

• Fifteen of 65 detected pregnancies (23%) resulted in fetal loss, with RIA and ultrasound detecting 7 additional losses compared to standard methods.
• Infant mortality was 13% (7 of 53 live births), primarily due to maternal abuse or premature delivery.
• Maternal abuse-related losses decreased due to pre-delivery isolation; 25 of 37 mothers successfully cared for their infants.

Conclusions:

• Early pregnancy detection and intervention significantly reduce undetected fetal losses.
• Modified maternal care strategies effectively decrease infant mortality from abuse and improve infant survival rates.
• The NCBRP's breeding program is demonstrating viability towards establishing a self-sustaining chimpanzee population.