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BACKGROUND: A survey was developed to characterize disease incidence, common pathology lesions, environmental characteristics, and nutrition programs within captive research marmoset colonies. METHODS: 17 research facilities completed the electronic survey. RESULTS: Nutritional management programs varied amongst research institutions housing marmosets; eight primary base diets were reported. The most common clinical syndromes reported were gastrointestinal (GI) disease (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like disease, chronic lymphocytic enteritis (CLE), chronic malabsorption, chronic diarrhea), metabolic bone disease or fracture, infectious diarrhea, and oral disease (tooth root abscesses, gingivitis, tooth root resorption). The five most common pathology morphologic diagnoses were colitis, nephropathy/ nephritis, enteritis, chronic lymphoplasmacytic enteritis, and cholecystitis. Obesity was more common (average 20% of a reporting institution’s population) than thin body condition (average 5%). CONCLUSIONS: Through review of current practices, we aim to inspire development of evidence based practices to standardize husbandry and nutrition practices for marmoset research colonies.

Gastrointestinal disease is a frequently encountered problem among captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) colonies. Management can be challenging due to the number of etiologies responsible for gastrointestinal disease in this species, limitations on diagnostic capabilities, and lack of effective treatments. Understanding commonly described GI diseases in the captive marmoset can provide insight on the impact these diseases have on research studies and aid in the development of appropriate management strategies. A review of commonly encountered GI disease processes as well as routinely implicated causes of GI disease in the common marmoset are provided. Current strategies in clinical management of GI disease in the common marmoset, including approaches to colony health, diagnostic testing, and commonly employed treatments are discussed.

Vitamin D(3) (cholecalciferol) is endogenously produced in the skin of primates when exposed to the appropriate wavelengths of ultra violet light (UV-B). Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) maintained indoors require dietary provision of vitamin D(3) due to lack of sunlight exposure. The minimum dietary vitamin D(3) requirement and the maximum amount of vitamin D(3) that can be metabolized by marmosets is unknown. Observations of metabolic bone disease and gastrointestinal malabsorption have led to wide variation in dietary vitamin D(3) provision amongst research institutions, with resulting variation in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25(OH)D(3)), the accepted marker for vitamin D sufficiency/deficiency. Multiple studies have reported serum 25(OH)D(3) in captive marmosets, but 25(OH)D(3) is not the final product of vitamin D(3) metabolism. In addition to serum 25(OH)D(3), we measured the most physiologically active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), and the less well understood metabolite, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (24,25(OH)(2)D(3)) to characterize the marmoset’s ability to metabolize dietary vitamin D(3). We present vitamin D(3) metabolite and related serum chemistry value colony reference ranges in marmosets provided diets with 26,367 (Colony A, N = 113) or 8,888 (Colony B, N = 52) international units (IU) of dietary vitamin D(3) per kilogram of dry matter. Colony A marmosets had higher serum 25(OH)D(3) (426ng/ml (SD 200) versus 215ng/ml (SD 113)) and 24,25(OH)(2)D(3) (53ng/ml (SD 35) versus 7ng/ml (SD 5)). There was no difference in serum 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) between the colonies. Serum 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) increased and 25(OH)D(3) decreased with age, but the effect was weak. Marmosets tightly regulate metabolism of dietary vitamin D(3) into the active metabolite 1,25(OH)(2)D(3;) excess 25(OH)D(3) is metabolized into 24,25(OH)(2)D(3). This ability explains the tolerance of high levels of dietary vitamin D(3) by marmosets, however, our data suggest that these high dietary levels are not required.

Anesthetic and analgesics are essential components of both clinical and research procedures completed in marmosets. A review of current anesthetic and analgesic regimens for marmosets has been complied to provide a concise reference for veterinarians and investigator teams. Published dose regimens for injectable and inhalant anesthetic drugs and analgesic drugs are included. Appropriate physiological monitoring is key to the success of the procedure and perianesthetic options are provided. Although recent publications have refined anesthesia and analgesia practices, our review demonstrates the continued need for evidence-based resources specific to marmosets.