The distribution of serum antibodies to adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV) was examined as a marker for virus infection among non-human primates as well as people from Africa and Germany. The virus is present in Africa in certain primate species including man. Altogether, 468 sera from 27 monkey species were examined. Only African green monkeys, less frequently also chimpanzees and crab-eating monkeys, were found to be infected. About 1-2% of people from Kenya have antibodies, while ATLV-antibodies may be present in well below 0.1% of the German population.

In a 5-year study data were compared on rank and reproductive success of 3 mature males in a group of barbary macaques who had sired 32 infants on 14 females. The results indicate that the absolute number of offspring as well as the proportion of offspring from higher-ranking females is a function of the male’s rank. Asymmetrical access to receptive females was produced by either a high basic rank or by the formation of a coalition, or both of these, which resulted in at least partial exclusion of competitors from reproduction. Rank reversals in basic rank was preceded by severe fights between the opponents involving deep wounds or loss of canine teeth. When such fights occurred they reaped benefits in each case for the challenger, which were measurable in terms of reproductive success.

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BackgroundOsteoporosis is diagnosed by bone loss using a radiological parameter called T-score. Preclinical studies use DXA to evaluate bone status were the T-score is referenced on bone mineral density (BMD) values of the same animals before treatment. Clinically, the reference BMD represents values of an independent group of healthy patients around 30 years old. The present study established a clinically similar T-score standard to diagnose osteoporosis in a sheep model.Material/MethodsWe used 31 female merino land sheep (average 5.5 years old) to study osteoporosis. The following groups were compared using DXA measurement: 1) control; 2) ovariectomized (OVX); 3) OVX combined with a deficient diet (OVXD); and 4) OVXD combined with methylprednisolone administration (OVXDS). Further, an independent group of 32 healthy sheep (4–6 years old) were measured as an independent baseline. BMD was measured at 0 months, 3 months, and 8 months after treatment.ResultsThe same significance pattern between the treated groups and either baseline groups was seen. However, using an independent baseline changed the “clinical” interpretation of the data from an osteoporotic bone status (T-score <−2.5) after 3 months of OXDS treatment into an osteopenic bone status (T-score <−1.5 to −2.4).ConclusionsUsing an independent baseline enhanced the statistical significance and showed the clinical relevance. Furthermore, an independent baseline is a reliable alternative to use of a new control group for future experiments and thus reduces the number of animals needed by eliminating the need for a control and corresponding to clinical practice.