ABSTRACT
While it is recognized that various circumstances such as lifestyle, diet have an impact upon the erythrocyte count and other erythrocyte-dependent values of mature monkeys, certain factors also moderate the hemogram of the infant Macaca mulatta. In one examination of this aspect of hemopoiesis, blood samples were obtained from mother-reared (n = 6) and nursery/peer-reared (n = 17) laboratoryhoused rhesus macaque infants on days 14 and 30 and during months 2, 3, 4, and 5 of their life (Kriete et al. 1992). The mother-reared infants consistently exhibited higher erythrocyte (and lymphocyte) counts across all time points. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were similar in both groups on days 14 and 30 and month 2. However, these values were higher in the nursery/peer-reared infants at months 3, 4, and 5. The Rbc distribution width of the nursery/peer-reared group decreased and was lower than that observed in mother-reared infants during months 3, 4, and 5 (an indication of improved health of the former group?). This latter outcome concerning the nursery/peer set along with a concomitant increase in this cohort’s MCV would suggest, among other choices, that the production of their erythrocytes was becoming more efcient than it was during earlier life. The presumed advantage of a higher erythrocyte count obtained by mother-reared infants is an interesting phenomenon that stimulates further consideration.
