Training and monitoring of animals: The Housing of Non-Human Primates Used for Experimental Research and Other Scientific Purposes: Issues for Consideration (1997)

Schnell, C. R. , Gerber, P.

Abstract

The use of pre-invasive implantable radiotelemetry has revolutionized the collection of physiological data under stress-free conditions. It is now possible to measure accurately haemodynamic and electrical parameters in conscious and unrestrained monkeys. This enabled us to record 'normal' baseline data for blood pressure and heart rate in different non-human primate species, maintained under a range of housing and husbandry conditions.Recent results obtained in our laboratory will be used to demonstrate the pronounced acute and chronic effects on cardiovascular parameters of singly or repeated oral administration procedures in marmosets. Advantages, as well as limitations, of alternative low-stress ways of dosing will be presented. It is frequently suggested that training is not cost-effective . Data from our own studies have demonstrated unequivocally the impact of housing/husbandry practices on physiological parameters and pharmacological outcome. Remote and pre-invasive monitoring provide opportunities for such assessments and further studies are urgently needed to enable best-practice to be identified using objective criteria.