URINE COLLECTION IN THE COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX-JACCHUS) AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO ENDOCRINOLOGIC STUDIES

We investigated a new method of urine collection in the common marmose t. We entered the cage as soon as the light cycle started in the breed ing room and collected urine from the animal directly without any rest raint. We were able to take separate samples from completely different individuals housed together for behavioral studies in the same cage. Urine and blood samples were taken from individuals from late pregnanc y through postpartum nursing period. Cortisol and prolactin concentrat ions measured in urine were compared to those measured in blood to eva luate this collection method. LH/CG level in the urine samples was als o measured. Urine data in females indicated a tendency toward high cor tisol values during late pregnancy, a sharp drop before parturition, a nd increase after delivery. In females cortisol levels measured in blo od closely resembled concentrations measured in urine. Urine cortisol in males clearly indicated an increase postpartum but the increase was not indicated in plasma. Plasma and urine prolactin concentrations in females made a similar increase during lactation. Male's plasma prola ctin clearly indicated an increase directly proportional to strong beh avioral contact with the infant. We also confirmed hormonal changes du ring pregnancy, and postpartum ovulation and subsequent pregnancies, f rom urine LH/CG data. We found this method extremely useful because of the high correlation between cortisol, prolactin and LH/CG data from blood and urine. Additionally, we collected urine samples with little stress to the animal from fear, irritation, pain, etc.