Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in healthy captive male and female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.)

Abstract

Background Echocardiography is the most frequently used non -invasive diagnostic tool to evaluate cardiac anatomy and function in domestic species but increasingly also in non -domestic species, especially since cardiac disease is being recognized as an important cause of death in captive primates. The purpose of this cross -sectional study was to investigate the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography in healthy squirrel monkeys as well as to provide species specific normal values for standard echocardiographic measurements. A secondary aim was to determine plasma and serum levels of the cardiac biomarkers, N -terminal pro -brain natriuretic peptide (NT -proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT). Furthermore, a commercial, non -invasive, smartphone -based ECG (AliveCor Vet TM) monitoring device was used to evaluate the heart rate and rhythm and to diagnose possible arrhythmias. Results In this study, transthoracic echocardiography of 14 squirrel monkeys was performed in right and left lateral recumbency. Similar standard right parasternal and left apical images were obtained as in dogs and cats and normal values for routine two -dimensional, time motion mode and Doppler mode measurements were generated. Thirteen animals were considered healthy and one squirrel monkey was identified with significant aortic dilation and regurgitation and consequently values obtained from this animal were not used when species specific normal values were calculated. NT -ProBNP and cTnT concentrations were available for 7 of the 13 healthy monkeys with NT -proBNP concentrations below detection limit in all animals and a mean cTnT concentration of 0.049 ng/mL. Electrocardiography was performed in all squirrel monkeys. The mean heart rate was 172 bpm. Frequent supraventricular premature beats were diagnosed in the squirrel monkey suffering from significant aortic dilation and regurgitation. Conclusion This study presents echocardiographic normal values and additional cardiovascular data in anaesthetised Saimiri monkeys, fundamental from both the perspective of zoo animal health care as well as scientific research, since the squirrel monkey is often used as an animal model for human disease.

Functional Cardiovascular Characterization of the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

“…The reported data are in line with the anatomical descriptions of and volume estimations for this species [ 21 ]. Furthermore, when compared to other animal species of similar sizes like rodents or squirrel monkeys, the acquired data were also in line with previous reports [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Characterization of sinoatrial automaticity in Microcebus murinus to study the effect of aging on cardiac activity and the correlation with longevity

“…HR, maximal life expectancy, body size and the resulting number of heartbeats per lifetime were obtained from data available in the literature for different mammals including 10 species of primates, 12 species of rodents and 9 species of domestic mammals from different orders. In particular we took in consideration the species GML, common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) 80,81 , squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) 82,83 , capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella) 66 , rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) 84,85 , chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) 86 , Babouin hamadryas (Papio hamadryas) 87 , orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) 88 and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) 89 , in comparison to humans 55 for the primate order; mouse 45 , hamster 64,90 , rat 47 , Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) 91,92 guinea pig 93 , red North American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) 2 , muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) 94 , marmot (Marmota monax) 95 , capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) 96,97 , agouti (Dasyprocta primnolopha) 98 , North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) 95 , north american beaver (Castor canadensis) 94 for rodents and rabbit 99 , dog 99,100 , sheep 101 , cat 102 , pig 103 , goat 104,105 , donkey 106 , horse 107 and camel 108 for the domestic mammals. HR were reported from results obta...…”