Psychological well-being in paired adult female rhesus (Macaca mulatta) (1994)

Eaton, G. G., Kelley, S. T., Axthelm, M. K. et al.

Abstract

Pair formation technique is described; 86% success rate. Paired females show strong preference to spend time in close proximity [approximately 80% at night, 40% at day]; agonistic behaviors are very infrequent. Health measures, body weight gains, reproduction and immune responses do not differ between dominant, subordinate, and single-housed females. Paired females spend less time engaged in abnormal behavior than single-housed females. ... Eleven of the 12 permanent pairs have been compatible for more than 36 months. ... The animals were trained to present a hind leg for venipuncture, and chemical restraint was not used. We conclude that pairing adult female rhesus monkeys was a positive experience for both the dominant and subordinate members of the pairs. They chose to spend the majoirtiy of their time involved in amicable social interactions, were more active, and they indulged less in nail biting than singly-housed controls. There were no differences in reproductin, rates of clinical morbidity, or immune stress responses.