A subhuman primate model for fetal alcohol syndrome research

The object of this project was to develop and evaluate new methods for the establishment of a subhuman primate model (SPM) of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Adult Rhesus monkeys (5.5--16.0 kg) were used as subjects. All were proven breeders and all matings in this project were repeats of matings that had previously produced normal offspring. The animals received alcohol (ALC) via permanently implanted intragastric cannulae (IGC) at doses to establish blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) within 2 selected ranges. Initially the high dose group received ALC doses designed to maintain BAC of approximately 150 mg/100 ml, and the other at 75--100 mg/100 ml. Daily ad lib food intake was monitored. The animals received infusions of liquid diet through the IGC so that their daily intake of balanced calories was 110% of the minimum daily requirements. The overall experimental design of this study called for each animal to have on ALC exposed pregnancy, serve as a pair-fed control for its own ALC exposed pregnancy and serve as a pair-fed control for a different animal. The preliminary results indicate that the IGC was suitable for use in pregnant rhesus monkeys. Two animals that were receiving ALC at doses and schedules to maintain the BAC above 150 mg/100 ml aborted during the first trimester of their pregnancies. No abortions have been observed in animals receiving either control diets or lower doses of ALC. In summary, this preliminary study demonstrates that it is feasible to use an IGC as a method for maintaining precise control over a pregnant Rhesus monkey's ALC exposure and nutritional status and thereby establish a SPM of FAS that meets critical control criteria.