CLINICAL-PARAMETERS OF THE NORMAL BABOONS (PAPIO-SPECIES) AND CHIMPANZEES (PAN-TROGLODYTES)

Improved equipment and advanced progressive techniques by scientists u sing baboons and chimpanzees in biomedical research have resulted in i mproved clinical laboratory data. The use of state-of-the-art clinical laboratory instruments, methodologies with improved accuracy, and an increased variety of individual tests routinely requested and performe d has necessitated the comparison of current data with prior data prod uced in our laboratory and with those values reported in the literatur e. In addition to an expanded hematologic profile, including red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume, and a more comprehe nsive chemical profile of 28 individual tests, additional data collect ed included values for coagulation profiles, arterial blood gases, ser um protein electrophoresis, and urine osmolalities. Samples for evalua tion were obtained from clinically normal sedated adult baboons (Papio species) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and processed conventional ly according to Good Laboratory Practice Act standards. Arithmetic mea ns were calculated, values of 3 standard deviations or greater were el iminated, and means were recalculated to include 2 standard deviations . All data correlated well with prior in-house values, and no remarkab le differences from established data were detected, thus indicating th e reliability of past and present data. Data compared favorably with n ormal clinical values established for humans.