Effects of weaning age on maternal reproduction and offspring health in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) (1984)

Goo, G. P., Fugate, J. K.

Abstract

Under confinement conditions there was a significant dependency between offspring weaning age and subsequent conception of the mother. Females with infants weaned at 6 months had higher reproductive rates [87%] than other females with infants weaned at 8 [78%], 10 [62%] and 12 [50%] months. Authors point out that a reproduction rate of 91% was reported for females living in feral groups in which young animals are naturally weaned by their mothers.