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Marmosets are routinely used in biomedical research, therefore there is an increasing need for updated reference intervals calculated using a large sample size, correct statistics, and considering different variables. Hematological and biochemical values from 472 healthy common marmosets sedated with alphaxalone were collected over a ten-year period (2013-2023). The variables assumed to have influenced the blood-based parameters were compared, i.e., sex, age, housing condition, pregnancy, and contraceptive use. Reference intervals were calculated based on observed percentiles without parametric assumptions, and with parametric assumptions following Box-Cox transformation. Juvenile marmosets showed increased ALP, phosphate, WBC, lymphocyte count, and basophil count and decreased levels of GGT and Fe compared to adults. Marmosets housed strictly indoors showed increased ALT and GGT levels and decreased levels of total bilirubin and neutrophil count compared to marmosets housed with outdoor access. Pregnant marmosets showed increased ALP, total bilirubin, neutrophil count, monocyte count, and basophil count, and decreased levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, Fe, and lymphocyte count compared to non-pregnant marmosets. Etonogestrel contracepted marmosets showed decreased P-LCR compared to females who were not contracepted. Updated reference intervals will aid researchers and veterinarians in identifying physiological and pathological changes, as well as improve the reproducibility of research in this species.

An increasingly popular animal model for studying the neural basis of social behavior, cognition, and communication is the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Interest in this New World primate across neuroscience is now being driven by their proclivity for prosociality across their repertoire, high volubility, and rapid development, as well as their amenability to naturalistic testing paradigms and freely moving neural recording and imaging technologies. The complement of these characteristics set marmosets up to be a powerful model of the primate social brain in the years to come. Here, we focus on vocal communication because it is the area that has both made the most progress and illustrates the prodigious potential of this species. We review the current state of the field with a focus on the various brain areas and networks involved in vocal perception and production, comparing the findings from marmosets to other animals, including humans.

BackgroundAdeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapies are rapidly advancing to the clinic, and AAV engineering has resulted in vectors with increased ability to deliver therapeutic genes. Although the choice of vector is critical, quantitative comparison of AAVs, especially in large animals, remains challenging.MethodsHere, we developed an efficient single-cell AAV engineering pipeline (scAAVengr) to simultaneously quantify and rank efficiency of competing AAV vectors across all cell types in the same animal.ResultsTo demonstrate proof-of-concept for the scAAVengr workflow, we quantified - with cell-type resolution - the abilities of naturally occurring and newly engineered AAVs to mediate gene expression in primate retina following intravitreal injection. A top performing variant identified using this pipeline, K912, was used to deliver SaCas9 and edit the rhodopsin gene in macaque retina, resulting in editing efficiency similar to infection rates detected by the scAAVengr workflow. scAAVengr was then used to identify top-performing AAV variants in mouse brain, heart, and liver following systemic injection.ConclusionsThese results validate scAAVengr as a powerful method for development of AAV vectors.FundingThis work was supported by funding from the Ford Foundation, NEI/NIH, Research to Prevent Blindness, Foundation Fighting Blindness, UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, and the Van Sloun fund for canine genetic research.

BackgroundAdeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapies are rapidly advancing to the clinic, and AAV engineering has resulted in vectors with increased ability to deliver therapeutic genes. Although the choice of vector is critical, quantitative comparison of AAVs, especially in large animals, remains challenging.MethodsHere, we developed an efficient single-cell AAV engineering pipeline (scAAVengr) to simultaneously quantify and rank efficiency of competing AAV vectors across all cell types in the same animal.ResultsTo demonstrate proof-of-concept for the scAAVengr workflow, we quantified - with cell-type resolution - the abilities of naturally occurring and newly engineered AAVs to mediate gene expression in primate retina following intravitreal injection. A top performing variant identified using this pipeline, K912, was used to deliver SaCas9 and edit the rhodopsin gene in macaque retina, resulting in editing efficiency similar to infection rates detected by the scAAVengr workflow. scAAVengr was then used to identify top-performing AAV variants in mouse brain, heart, and liver following systemic injection.ConclusionsThese results validate scAAVengr as a powerful method for development of AAV vectors.FundingThis work was supported by funding from the Ford Foundation, NEI/NIH, Research to Prevent Blindness, Foundation Fighting Blindness, UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, and the Van Sloun fund for canine genetic research.

Alginate cell-based therapy requires further development focused on clinical application. To assess engraftment, risk of mutations and therapeutic benefit studies should be performed in an appropriate non-human primate model, such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). In this work we encapsulated amnion derived multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) from Callithrix jacchus in defined size alginate beads using a high voltage technique. Our results indicate that i) alginate-cell mixing procedure and cell concentration do not affect the diameter of alginate beads, ii) encapsulation of high cell numbers (up to 10×106 cells/ml) can be performed in alginate beads utilizing high voltage and iii) high voltage (15–30 kV) does not alter the viability, proliferation and differentiation capacity of MSCs post-encapsulation compared with alginate encapsulated cells produced by the traditional air-flow method. The consistent results were obtained over the period of 7 days of encapsulated MSCs culture and after cryopreservation utilizing a slow cooling procedure (1 K/min). The results of this work show that high voltage encapsulation can further be maximized to develop cell-based therapies with alginate beads in a non-human primate model towards human application.

Rabies is a serious infection caused by a virus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus. The disease is characterized by an acute lethal encephalitis and the transmission occurs by inoculating the rabies virus in the saliva of mammals infected by biting, licking scratch or mucous membranes. According to its transmission mechanism and its epidemiological cycle, the disease can be classified as: urban, rural, wild aerial and terrestrial wild. Anger involving wild animals is a serious danger to pets as well as humans. The main reservoirs of wildlife rabies in Brazil, are the white tuft of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). In Ceará, the maintenance cycle of anger among marmosets has been a major issue for public health authorities. This work aimed to make a brief epidemiological approach Rabies transmission by Marmosets in Ceará state, Brazil, as the history of the number of rabies cases in C. jacchus, confirms its epidemiological significance and reinforces the growing need for public health surveillance in the Ceará., A Raiva é uma grave zoonose causada por um vírus pertencente à família Rhabdoviridae, gênero Lyssavirus. A doença é caracterizada por uma encefalite aguda e letal e a transmissão ocorre pela inoculação do vírus rábico, presente na saliva de mamíferos infectados, através de mordedura, arranhadura ou lambedura de mucosas. De acordo com o seu mecanismo de transmissão e seu ciclo epidemiológico, a doença pode ser classificada em: urbana, rural, silvestre aérea e silvestre terrestre. A Raiva envolvendo animais silvestres é um grave perigo para animais domésticos, assim como para os seres humanos. Dentre os principais reservatórios da Raiva silvestre no Brasil, encontram-se os saguis de tufo branco (Callithrix jacchus). No Ceará, a manutenção do ciclo de Raiva entre os saguis tem sido um tema importante para as autoridades de saúde pública. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer uma breve abordagem epidemiológica da transmissão da Raiva por Saguis no Estado do Ceará, Brasil, visto que o histórico do número de casos de raiva em C. jacchus, confirma a sua importância epidemiológica e reforça a necessidade crescente de vigilância em saúde pública no Ceará.

Rabies is a serious infection caused by a virus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus. The disease is characterized by an acute lethal encephalitis and the transmission occurs by inoculating the rabies virus in the saliva of mammals infected by biting, licking scratch or mucous membranes. According to its transmission mechanism and its epidemiological cycle, the disease can be classified as: urban, rural, wild aerial and terrestrial wild. Anger involving wild animals is a serious danger to pets as well as humans. The main reservoirs of wildlife rabies in Brazil, are the white tuft of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). In Ceará, the maintenance cycle of anger among marmosets has been a major issue for public health authorities. This work aimed to make a brief epidemiological approach Rabies transmission by Marmosets in Ceará state, Brazil, as the history of the number of rabies cases in C. jacchus, confirms its epidemiological significance and reinforces the growing need for public health surveillance in the Ceará., A Raiva é uma grave zoonose causada por um vírus pertencente à família Rhabdoviridae, gênero Lyssavirus. A doença é caracterizada por uma encefalite aguda e letal e a transmissão ocorre pela inoculação do vírus rábico, presente na saliva de mamíferos infectados, através de mordedura, arranhadura ou lambedura de mucosas. De acordo com o seu mecanismo de transmissão e seu ciclo epidemiológico, a doença pode ser classificada em: urbana, rural, silvestre aérea e silvestre terrestre. A Raiva envolvendo animais silvestres é um grave perigo para animais domésticos, assim como para os seres humanos. Dentre os principais reservatórios da Raiva silvestre no Brasil, encontram-se os saguis de tufo branco (Callithrix jacchus). No Ceará, a manutenção do ciclo de Raiva entre os saguis tem sido um tema importante para as autoridades de saúde pública. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer uma breve abordagem epidemiológica da transmissão da Raiva por Saguis no Estado do Ceará, Brasil, visto que o histórico do número de casos de raiva em C. jacchus, confirma a sua importância epidemiológica e reforça a necessidade crescente de vigilância em saúde pública no Ceará.

Adipositas ist eine polymorphe chronische Erkrankung mit epidemischer Prävalenz. Im katabolen Leptin-Melanocortin-Signalweg ist das Proopiomelanocortin Gen (POMC) ein zentrales Element, das bei Dysfunktion massive Adipositas bewirken kann. Auch eine kürzlich identifizierte intragenische Methylierungsvariante des POMC wurde mit Adipositas assoziiert und deutet somit auf eine mögliche epigenetische Modulation des Gewichtsphänotyps hin. Zur Aufklärung der Relevanz, Stabilität und Entwicklung dieser epigenetischen Modifikation wurden die Funktionalität, Ontogenese und Phylogenese der POMC DNA-Methylierung untersucht. In vitro Analysen zeigten DNA-Methylierungsabhängige Promoteraktivität beider CpG-Inseln (CGIs) des POMC. Diese hier erstmals beschriebene Transkriptionsaktivität der intragenischen CGI weist auf einen alternativen Promoter des POMC hin. Hinsichtlich der Ontogenese konnten in Mensch und Maus postnatal stabile DNA-Methylierungsmuster mit interindividueller Konservierung für beide CGIs des POMC identifiziert werden. Zusätzlich erwiesen sich Gewebeunabhängigkeit der DNA-Methylierungsmuster und ihre pränatale Ausbildung zwischen dem Blastocystenstadium und der frühen Organogenese in der Maus. Die POMC DNA-Methylierungsmuster upstream des Exon3 unterscheiden sich in Mensch und Maus. Der mögliche Einfluss von primatenspezifischen Alu-Elementen im Intron2 des POMC hierauf wurde in verschiedenen Primatenfamilien analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine bedingte Assoziation der Alu-Elemente mit der DNA-Methylierung in der entsprechenden Region, lassen jedoch auch weitere Einflussfaktoren vermuten. Insgesamt zeigt diese Arbeit, dass die POMC DNA-Methylierung artspezifisch konserviert ist und in der frühen Embryogenese, vermutlich Alu-abhängig, ausgebildet wird. Dabei könnten stochastische Variationen der DNA-Methylierung die POMC-Aktivität beeinflussen und somit das Risiko für Adipositas erhöhen., Obesity is a polymorphic chronic disease with epidemic prevalence. Within the catabolic leptin-melanocortin signaling pathway pre-proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a pivotal element. Dysfunction of POMC, e.g. due to mutations, can cause severe obesity. Moreover, a recently identified intragenic methylation variant of POMC was found to be associated with obesity. Therefore, this indicates potential epigenetic modulation of the weight phenotype. To gain further insight into the relevance, stability, and origin of this epigenetic modification, the functionality, ontogenesis, and phylogenesis of the POMC DNA methylation patterns were analyzed. In vitro analyses revealed DNA methylation-dependent promoter activity of both CpG islands (CGIs) of POMC. Thereby, the intragenic CGI was identified as a potential alternative promoter of POMC, which has not been described before. Regarding the ontogenesis, postnatally stable POMC DNA methylation patterns with interindividual conservation were detected for both CGIs in humans and mice. In addition, it was observed that the POMC DNA methylation patterns are non-tissue-specific, stable upon long time administration of a high fat diet, and develop prenatally between the blastocystal stage and the early organogenesis. The POMC DNA methylation pattern upstream of exon3 differs in humans and mice. A possible influence of primate-specific Alu elements within the intron2 region of POMC was analyzed in various primate families. Results evince a partial association of the Alu elements with the DNA methylation pattern in this particular region, but also suggest an influence of additional factors. Overall, this work demonstrates that DNA methylation of the POMC locus is species-specific highly conserved, and that it is established during early embryogenesis, possibly Alu-triggered. In the course of this, stochastic variances of the POMC DNA methylation might influence the POMC activity and consequently alter the risk to develop obesity.

Adipositas ist eine polymorphe chronische Erkrankung mit epidemischer Prävalenz. Im katabolen Leptin-Melanocortin-Signalweg ist das Proopiomelanocortin Gen (POMC) ein zentrales Element, das bei Dysfunktion massive Adipositas bewirken kann. Auch eine kürzlich identifizierte intragenische Methylierungsvariante des POMC wurde mit Adipositas assoziiert und deutet somit auf eine mögliche epigenetische Modulation des Gewichtsphänotyps hin. Zur Aufklärung der Relevanz, Stabilität und Entwicklung dieser epigenetischen Modifikation wurden die Funktionalität, Ontogenese und Phylogenese der POMC DNA-Methylierung untersucht. In vitro Analysen zeigten DNA-Methylierungsabhängige Promoteraktivität beider CpG-Inseln (CGIs) des POMC. Diese hier erstmals beschriebene Transkriptionsaktivität der intragenischen CGI weist auf einen alternativen Promoter des POMC hin. Hinsichtlich der Ontogenese konnten in Mensch und Maus postnatal stabile DNA-Methylierungsmuster mit interindividueller Konservierung für beide CGIs des POMC identifiziert werden. Zusätzlich erwiesen sich Gewebeunabhängigkeit der DNA-Methylierungsmuster und ihre pränatale Ausbildung zwischen dem Blastocystenstadium und der frühen Organogenese in der Maus. Die POMC DNA-Methylierungsmuster upstream des Exon3 unterscheiden sich in Mensch und Maus. Der mögliche Einfluss von primatenspezifischen Alu-Elementen im Intron2 des POMC hierauf wurde in verschiedenen Primatenfamilien analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine bedingte Assoziation der Alu-Elemente mit der DNA-Methylierung in der entsprechenden Region, lassen jedoch auch weitere Einflussfaktoren vermuten. Insgesamt zeigt diese Arbeit, dass die POMC DNA-Methylierung artspezifisch konserviert ist und in der frühen Embryogenese, vermutlich Alu-abhängig, ausgebildet wird. Dabei könnten stochastische Variationen der DNA-Methylierung die POMC-Aktivität beeinflussen und somit das Risiko für Adipositas erhöhen., Obesity is a polymorphic chronic disease with epidemic prevalence. Within the catabolic leptin-melanocortin signaling pathway pre-proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a pivotal element. Dysfunction of POMC, e.g. due to mutations, can cause severe obesity. Moreover, a recently identified intragenic methylation variant of POMC was found to be associated with obesity. Therefore, this indicates potential epigenetic modulation of the weight phenotype. To gain further insight into the relevance, stability, and origin of this epigenetic modification, the functionality, ontogenesis, and phylogenesis of the POMC DNA methylation patterns were analyzed. In vitro analyses revealed DNA methylation-dependent promoter activity of both CpG islands (CGIs) of POMC. Thereby, the intragenic CGI was identified as a potential alternative promoter of POMC, which has not been described before. Regarding the ontogenesis, postnatally stable POMC DNA methylation patterns with interindividual conservation were detected for both CGIs in humans and mice. In addition, it was observed that the POMC DNA methylation patterns are non-tissue-specific, stable upon long time administration of a high fat diet, and develop prenatally between the blastocystal stage and the early organogenesis. The POMC DNA methylation pattern upstream of exon3 differs in humans and mice. A possible influence of primate-specific Alu elements within the intron2 region of POMC was analyzed in various primate families. Results evince a partial association of the Alu elements with the DNA methylation pattern in this particular region, but also suggest an influence of additional factors. Overall, this work demonstrates that DNA methylation of the POMC locus is species-specific highly conserved, and that it is established during early embryogenesis, possibly Alu-triggered. In the course of this, stochastic variances of the POMC DNA methylation might influence the POMC activity and consequently alter the risk to develop obesity.

Die vorsätzliche Freisetzung von Variola Virus (VARV) und schwere Erkrankungen des Menschen durch zoonotische Affen- (MPXV) und Kuh- (CPXV) pocken Viren stellen nach wie vor eine Bedrohung für die Bevölkerung dar. Klassische Pockenimpfstoffe bergen die Gefahr einer schweren Erkrankung. Deshalb ist die Entwicklung neuer Impfstoffe und Therapeutika von entscheidender Bedeutung. Deren Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit muss zunächst in verschiedenen Tiermodellen bewiesen werden. Existierende Makakken-Primatenmodelle leiden unter sehr artifiziellen Bedingungen der letalen Krankheitsinduktion durch VARV oder MPXV. Aus diesem Grund wurde das Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modell etabliert, welches auf einem CPXV aus natürlich infizierten Neuweltaffen (Marmosets) basiert. Das neue Modell hat drei wesentliche Vorteile: Die Arbeit mit Calpox Virus kann unter Sicherheitsstufe 2 durchgeführt werden und ist folglich einfacher in der Handhabung. 2. Die intranasale (i.n.) Infektion von Marmosets (Krallenaffen; Callithrix jacchus) spiegelt den natürlichen Infektionsweg von VARV wieder. Infizierte Affen entwickelten Pocken ähnliche Symptome und verstarben innerhalb von 2-3 Tagen nach Auftreten erster Symptome. Hohe Viruslasten wurden im Blut, Speichel und allen untersuchten Organen nachgewiesen. 3. Die i.n. Titration des Calpox Virus ergab eine 50 % Affen-Infektions-Dosis (MID50) von 8.3x102 pfu. Diese ist um den Faktor 10000 niedriger als in anderen Pocken-Primatenmodellen. Neun bis zehn Wochen nach einer Immunisierung mit dem Lister-Elstree Impfstoff waren alle Krallenaffen gegen eine letale Dosis des Calpox Virus (10 MID50) geschützt. Damit konnte der Nutzen des Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modells für die Erforschung neuer Impfstoffe gezeigt werden. Das Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modell überwindet wesentliche Nachteile bestehender Primatenmodelle und ist somit ein geeignetes Model für die Evaluierung von neuen Impfstoffen, Impfstrategien und antiviralen Therapien., The intentional re-introduction of Variola virus (VARV), the agents of smallpox, into the human population remains of concern today. Moreover, zoonotic infections with Cowpox (CPXV) and Monkeypox virus (MPXV) cause severe diseases in humans. Smallpox vaccines presently available can have severe adverse effects that are no longer acceptable. The efficacy and safety of new vaccines and antivirals have to be demonstrated by different animal models. The existing primate models, using VARV and MPXV, need very high viral doses that have to be applied intravenously to induce a lethal infection in macaque monkeys. To overcome these drawbacks, the main objective of this study was to develop a primate model in which a smallpox-like disease could be induced by a CPXV virus designated calpox virus which was isolated from a lethal orthopox virus (OPV) outbreak in New World monkeys (marmosets). The new non-human primate model has three major advantages: 1. Working with calpox virus is less challenging and can be done under bio-safety-level two. 2. Mimicking the natural route of VARV infection, intranasally infected marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) reproducibly developed clinical symptoms of an OPV infection and died within two to three days after onset of the first symptoms. High viral loads of calpox virus were detected in blood, saliva and all analyzed organs. 3. Intranasal titration of the virus resulted in a 50 % monkey infectious dose (MID50) of 8.3x102 pfu, a lethal infectious dose 10,000 lower than those used in any other primate model. Moreover, we showed the aptitude of the primate model for the testing of new vaccines since nine to ten weeks after immunization with Vaccinia virus Lister-Elstree marmosets were completely protected against intranasal challenge with 10 MID50 of calpox virus. As the calpox virus/marmoset model overcomes major limitations of current primate models it is suitable to evaluate new vaccines, new vaccination strategies and antiviral therapies.

[no abstract]

Die vorsätzliche Freisetzung von Variola Virus (VARV) und schwere Erkrankungen des Menschen durch zoonotische Affen- (MPXV) und Kuh- (CPXV) pocken Viren stellen nach wie vor eine Bedrohung für die Bevölkerung dar. Klassische Pockenimpfstoffe bergen die Gefahr einer schweren Erkrankung. Deshalb ist die Entwicklung neuer Impfstoffe und Therapeutika von entscheidender Bedeutung. Deren Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit muss zunächst in verschiedenen Tiermodellen bewiesen werden. Existierende Makakken-Primatenmodelle leiden unter sehr artifiziellen Bedingungen der letalen Krankheitsinduktion durch VARV oder MPXV. Aus diesem Grund wurde das Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modell etabliert, welches auf einem CPXV aus natürlich infizierten Neuweltaffen (Marmosets) basiert. Das neue Modell hat drei wesentliche Vorteile: Die Arbeit mit Calpox Virus kann unter Sicherheitsstufe 2 durchgeführt werden und ist folglich einfacher in der Handhabung. 2. Die intranasale (i.n.) Infektion von Marmosets (Krallenaffen; Callithrix jacchus) spiegelt den natürlichen Infektionsweg von VARV wieder. Infizierte Affen entwickelten Pocken ähnliche Symptome und verstarben innerhalb von 2-3 Tagen nach Auftreten erster Symptome. Hohe Viruslasten wurden im Blut, Speichel und allen untersuchten Organen nachgewiesen. 3. Die i.n. Titration des Calpox Virus ergab eine 50 % Affen-Infektions-Dosis (MID50) von 8.3x102 pfu. Diese ist um den Faktor 10000 niedriger als in anderen Pocken-Primatenmodellen. Neun bis zehn Wochen nach einer Immunisierung mit dem Lister-Elstree Impfstoff waren alle Krallenaffen gegen eine letale Dosis des Calpox Virus (10 MID50) geschützt. Damit konnte der Nutzen des Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modells für die Erforschung neuer Impfstoffe gezeigt werden. Das Calpox Virus/Krallenaffen-modell überwindet wesentliche Nachteile bestehender Primatenmodelle und ist somit ein geeignetes Model für die Evaluierung von neuen Impfstoffen, Impfstrategien und antiviralen Therapien., The intentional re-introduction of Variola virus (VARV), the agents of smallpox, into the human population remains of concern today. Moreover, zoonotic infections with Cowpox (CPXV) and Monkeypox virus (MPXV) cause severe diseases in humans. Smallpox vaccines presently available can have severe adverse effects that are no longer acceptable. The efficacy and safety of new vaccines and antivirals have to be demonstrated by different animal models. The existing primate models, using VARV and MPXV, need very high viral doses that have to be applied intravenously to induce a lethal infection in macaque monkeys. To overcome these drawbacks, the main objective of this study was to develop a primate model in which a smallpox-like disease could be induced by a CPXV virus designated calpox virus which was isolated from a lethal orthopox virus (OPV) outbreak in New World monkeys (marmosets). The new non-human primate model has three major advantages: 1. Working with calpox virus is less challenging and can be done under bio-safety-level two. 2. Mimicking the natural route of VARV infection, intranasally infected marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) reproducibly developed clinical symptoms of an OPV infection and died within two to three days after onset of the first symptoms. High viral loads of calpox virus were detected in blood, saliva and all analyzed organs. 3. Intranasal titration of the virus resulted in a 50 % monkey infectious dose (MID50) of 8.3x102 pfu, a lethal infectious dose 10,000 lower than those used in any other primate model. Moreover, we showed the aptitude of the primate model for the testing of new vaccines since nine to ten weeks after immunization with Vaccinia virus Lister-Elstree marmosets were completely protected against intranasal challenge with 10 MID50 of calpox virus. As the calpox virus/marmoset model overcomes major limitations of current primate models it is suitable to evaluate new vaccines, new vaccination strategies and antiviral therapies.

Early recognition of whether a product has potential as a new therapy for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) relies upon the quality of the animal models used in the preclinical trials. The promising effects of new treatments in rodent models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) have rarely been reproduced in patients suffering from MS. EAE in outbred marmoset monkeys, Callithrix jacchus, is a valid new model, and might provide an experimental link between EAE in rodent models and human MS. Using magnetic resonance imaging techniques similar to those used in patients suffering from MS pathological abnormalities in the brain, white matter of the animal can be visualized and quantified. Moreover, NMR spectroscopy, in combination with pattern recognition, offers an advanced uroscopic technique for the identification of biomarkers of inflammatory demyelination.

Det här arbetet syftar till att undersöka om och hur födoberikning kan stimulera vitörade silkesapor att utföra högre frekvenser av naturliga beteenden samt att se hur aktiva aporna är och om de frivilligt visar sig för publik på djurparken. Födoberikningen gick ut på att erbjuda aporna mat på ett mer naturligt sätt istället för att enbart ge dem maten i matskålar. Dessutom syftar arbetet till att erbjuda aporna en näringsmässigt korrekt sammansatt kost. Studien utfördes på två grupper av vitörade silkesapor på Parken Zoo i Eskilstuna under perioden juni till september år 2004. Undersökningen delades upp i tre perioder, under period 1 observerades aporna utan att någon födoberikning genomfördes. Under period 2 introducerades födoberikningen stegvis samtidigt som kostens sammansättning ändrades. Under period 3 var all födoberikning införd och kosten som erbjöds var näringsmässigt korrekt. Vår studie visar att frekvenserna av naturliga beteenden ökade vid födoberikning, det vill säga ätbeteende minskade, födosöksbeteende ökade och aggressiva/revir beteenden minskade. Socialt/övrigt beteende och förflyttning skilde sig åt mellan de två grupperna. Aporna blev mer aktiva och var mer synliga för publik under period 3. Vår matstudie visar att det är viktigt att utvärdera apornas kostintag på djurpark eftersom risken är stor att de inte erbjuds och äter rätt proportioner av olika näringsämnen., The aim of this study is to examine whether and how food enrichment can stimulate the common marmoset to more frequently display natural behaviour patterns; also to see how active the monkeys are and if they voluntarily show themselves to the public in the zoo. The food enrichment meant offering food to the monkeys in a way more natural than simply providing it in bowls. In addition the aim is to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. The study was conducted on two groups of common marmosets in Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna from June 2004 to September 2004. The study was split into three periods. During period 1 the monkeys were observed without food enrichment. During period 2 food enrichment was introduced gradually while the diet changed. During period 3 all food enrichment was provided and the diet offered was nutritionally correct. Our study shows that natural behaviour became more frequent with food enrichment, that is, eating behaviour decreased, foraging behaviour increased and aggressive/territorial behaviour decreased. Social/other behaviour and motion differed between the two groups. The monkeys became more active and were more often visible to the public during period 3. Our feeding study shows the importance of evaluating the nutritional intake of the monkeys in a zoo, because of the risk that they are not offered or are not eating the right proportions of nutrients.

Det här arbetet syftar till att undersöka om och hur födoberikning kan stimulera vitörade silkesapor att utföra högre frekvenser av naturliga beteenden samt att se hur aktiva aporna är och om de frivilligt visar sig för publik på djurparken. Födoberikningen gick ut på att erbjuda aporna mat på ett mer naturligt sätt istället för att enbart ge dem maten i matskålar. Dessutom syftar arbetet till att erbjuda aporna en näringsmässigt korrekt sammansatt kost. Studien utfördes på två grupper av vitörade silkesapor på Parken Zoo i Eskilstuna under perioden juni till september år 2004. Undersökningen delades upp i tre perioder, under period 1 observerades aporna utan att någon födoberikning genomfördes. Under period 2 introducerades födoberikningen stegvis samtidigt som kostens sammansättning ändrades. Under period 3 var all födoberikning införd och kosten som erbjöds var näringsmässigt korrekt. Vår studie visar att frekvenserna av naturliga beteenden ökade vid födoberikning, det vill säga ätbeteende minskade, födosöksbeteende ökade och aggressiva/revir beteenden minskade. Socialt/övrigt beteende och förflyttning skilde sig åt mellan de två grupperna. Aporna blev mer aktiva och var mer synliga för publik under period 3. Vår matstudie visar att det är viktigt att utvärdera apornas kostintag på djurpark eftersom risken är stor att de inte erbjuds och äter rätt proportioner av olika näringsämnen., The aim of this study is to examine whether and how food enrichment can stimulate the common marmoset to more frequently display natural behaviour patterns; also to see how active the monkeys are and if they voluntarily show themselves to the public in the zoo. The food enrichment meant offering food to the monkeys in a way more natural than simply providing it in bowls. In addition the aim is to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. The study was conducted on two groups of common marmosets in Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna from June 2004 to September 2004. The study was split into three periods. During period 1 the monkeys were observed without food enrichment. During period 2 food enrichment was introduced gradually while the diet changed. During period 3 all food enrichment was provided and the diet offered was nutritionally correct. Our study shows that natural behaviour became more frequent with food enrichment, that is, eating behaviour decreased, foraging behaviour increased and aggressive/territorial behaviour decreased. Social/other behaviour and motion differed between the two groups. The monkeys became more active and were more often visible to the public during period 3. Our feeding study shows the importance of evaluating the nutritional intake of the monkeys in a zoo, because of the risk that they are not offered or are not eating the right proportions of nutrients.