NORMATIVE HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VALUES FOR ADULT AND INFANT RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA) IN A CONTROLLED LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT

During the conduct of a long-term toxicity/reproduction study using rh esus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), periodic hematologic and serum biochemi cal analyses were undertaken on blood obtained from 15 untreated (vehi cle control) adult female monkeys over a period of 3 yr, 20 untreated adult males over a period of 6 yr, and 9 infants (5 male, 4 female, wh ose dams were the vehicle control females) from 12 wk through 2 yr of age. All samples were obtained by femoral puncture. To facilitate hand ling, ketamine hydrochloride (Ket.HCl) was administered to the males, and for some of the later infant samplings. Complete blood cell counts were performed using electronic cell counters, while reticulocyte cou nts and leukocyte differentials were assessed manually. The serum bioc hemistry analyses were performed with automated analyzers. These data were obtained as part of a health monitoring program, with medians and 2.5 to 97.5 percentiles for each parameter indicated. Some monitored parameters were found to be affected by the type of equipment used and by the use of Ket.HCl.