Buprenorphine is an essential component of analgesic protocols in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). The use of buprenorphine HCl (BUP) and sustained-release buprenorphine (BSR) formulations has become commonplace in this species, but the pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated. Healthy adult (age, 2.4 to 6.8 y; 6 female and 6 male) common marmosets were enrolled in this study to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters, plasma concentration–time curves, and any apparent adverse effects of these compounds. Equal numbers of each sex were randomly assigned to receive BUP (0.02 mg/kg IM) orBSR (0.2 mg/kg SC), resulting in peak plasma concentrations (mean ± 1 SD) of 15.2 ± 8.1 and 2.8 ± 1.2 ng/mL, terminal phase t1/2 of 2.2 ± 1.0 and 32.6 ± 9.6 h, and AUC0-last of 16.1 ± 3.7 and 98.6 ± 42.7 ng×h/mL. The plasma concentrations of buprenorphine exceeded the proposed minimal therapeutic threshold (0.1 ng/mL) at 5 and 15 min after BUP and BSR administration,showing that both compounds are rapid-acting, and remained above that threshold through the final time points of 8 and 72h. Extrapolation of the terminal elimination phase of the mean concentration–time curves was used to develop the clinical dosing frequencies of 6 to 8 h for BUP and 3.0 to 3.5 d for BSR. Some adverse effects were observed after the administration of BUP to common marmosets in this study, thus mandating judicious use in clinical practice. BSR provided a safe, long-acting option for analgesia and therefore can be used to refine analgesic protocols in this species.

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.

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.

Vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) is endogenously produced in the skin of primates when exposed to the appropriate wavelengths of ultraviolet 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 (426 ng/ml [SD 200] vs. 215 ng/ml [SD 113]) and 24,25(OH) 2 D 3 (53 ng/ml [SD 35] vs. 7 ng/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, ourdata suggest that these high dietary levels are not required.